‘Daddy’s girl, daughter of the farm’: Millicent Okumu’s road back to agriculture

Millicent Okumu's journey from a daughter of the farm to the head of Agriflex, a Kenyan agricultural business, has been marked by her determination and adaptability. Growing up in a household where her father's love for farming shaped her early experiences, Millicent was drawn to agriculture but initially avoided it in her education.

Her career path took an unexpected turn when she joined iProcure in 2017, where she was tasked with setting up the company's logistics department. This move into logistics exposed her to the agricultural industry and ignited her passion for it.

Despite the initial challenges of convincing farmers to adopt new technologies, such as drone spraying and traceability tools, Agriflex has made significant strides in the Kenyan agricultural sector. However, the company has not been immune to criticisms, particularly from farmers who question the effectiveness of certain innovations in their specific environments.

Millicent acknowledges the need to remain flexible and responsive to the unique needs of their clients, even as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in agriculture.