LONDON, United Kingdom — Paul Mwanza Ndisya, the Chief Executive Officer of Palma Mukuyuni Tree Nursery, will represent the Kenyan agricultural enterprise at the International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum. The three-day programme, held across various venues in London, brings together business leaders and policymakers to address critical issues in international trade and market access.
Based in Makueni County, Palma Mukuyuni Tree Nursery has evolved from a local initiative into a commercial centre for climate-smart horticulture. The nursery focuses on producing high-quality seedlings for fruit varieties such as Hass avocados, grafted mangoes, and pixie oranges, which are central to East Africa’s agricultural export ambitions. By operating in a region characterised by water scarcity and challenging soil conditions, the firm provides a practical demonstration of how sustainable farming can be maintained under environmental pressure.
Participation in the London forum allows the nursery to engage with international trade officials and supply chain specialists. As the global demand for traceable and sustainably sourced produce grows, the role of the nursery in the primary production tier becomes increasingly significant. Mr Ndisya aims to highlight the importance of rigorous nursery standards and seedling health in ensuring the long-term viability of international fruit trade routes.
Kenya’s position in the global avocado and mango markets relies heavily on the quality of initial planting materials. Palma Mukuyuni Tree Nursery addresses this by serving as a community education hub, training farmer groups and cooperatives in sustainable practices. This work is supported by partnerships with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry, underscoring the nursery’s integration into global agricultural research frameworks.
At the forum, the company seeks to foster partnerships that bridge the gap between small-scale producers and international markets. The focus remains on demonstrating how climate-resilient agroforestry can improve food security while creating high-value export opportunities. By sharing lessons learned from its transition from timber monoculture to a diversified horticultural portfolio, the nursery offers insights into risk management for agricultural enterprises in emerging markets.
Our experience in Makueni has shown that agricultural export capacity is built at the seedling level. We transitioned from a near-failure in timber production to a diversified model focusing on high-value fruit trees because we recognised that market demand and environmental conditions must dictate production strategy.
At this forum, I intend to discuss how technical training for nursery operators and the adoption of climate-smart varieties are essential for securing the future of global food supply chains. Strengthening the foundational tier of the agricultural sector is the only way to ensure resilience against both market fluctuations and environmental shifts.
The nursery’s participation in the Fruit Trees for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in East Africa project further validates its approach to combining environmental restoration with commercial agriculture. As international trade discussions increasingly focus on sustainability and carbon sequestration, the nursery’s model of landscape restoration provides a template for integrating environmental goals with economic development.
About Palma Mukuyuni Tree Nursery
Established in 2016 in Okia, Makueni County, Palma Mukuyuni Tree Nursery is a commercial enterprise specialising in climate-resilient horticulture and agroforestry. The company produces a wide range of fruit, timber, and ornamental seedlings, including export-grade Hass avocados and grafted mangoes. It also serves as a regional training centre, assisting farmers and cooperatives in implementing sustainable agricultural practices and improving seedling health.
About the International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum
The International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum is a three-day event held across various venues in London from 26 to 28 November 2026. The forum gathers senior executives, trade ministers, and policy experts to discuss strategies for improving market access, strengthening global supply chains, and fostering international economic cooperation.
About the International Trade Council
The International Trade Council is a peak-body chamber of commerce that remains independent, neutral, and non-lobbying. Since its inception in 1956, it has grown into a global network spanning more than 179 countries with a membership exceeding 28,000 entities, including businesses, government agencies, and diplomatic missions. The Council is dedicated to reducing trade barriers and supporting sustainable economic growth through collaboration and the provision of trade research and education.
About the International Centre for Trade Transparency and Monitoring
The International Centre for Trade Transparency and Monitoring, also known as ICTTM, is a commercial spin-off of the International Trade Council registered in the United Kingdom. Founded in November 2022, the organisation operates from offices in the UK and the Philippines, focusing on increasing clarity in global commerce. It developed the ADAMftd platform, which employs artificial intelligence to analyse billions of trade data points, helping users assess counterparty risk and model complex supply chains.
