Elgeiyo-Marakwet Governor, Alex Tolgos. The governor says the new
factory will ensure farmers are protected from brokers. PHOTO | JARED
NYATAYA | NMG
Mango farmers in Elgeyo-Marakwet expect brighter days ahead
after the county administration and the Japanese government launched a
Sh11 million processing plant.
The region produces
about 25,000 tonnes of mangoes every year and the establishment of the
processor is expected to encourage farmers to increase acreage under
fruit.
The processor is expected to enhance value addition and provide a market for mangoes grown in Kerio Valley.
During
the launch, Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos said the processor
would work at full capacity since farmers in the region produce mangoes
and other horticultural produce throughout the year.
“I
have no doubt about the supply. In fact, Kerio Valley is one of the few
regions that produce the sweetest mangoes in Kenya,” Mr Tolgos said.
The launch was also attended by Mr Fumiaki Hirai, an official from the Embassy of Japan.
Mr Hirai represented the Japanese ambassador to Kenya.
He was accompanied by Ms Ayumi Yamamoto, an investor.
Ms
Yamamoto said there were plans to link Cheptebo fruit factory, which is
on the Eldoret-Kabarnet road, to international markets.
She said that would be achieved if Kerio Valley residents ensure the factory is supplied with the fruits consistently.
“We
also have a company known as Kenya Fruit Solutions in Thika, Kiambu
County and it provides market linkages for fruits," she said.
Ms Yamamoto added that there was a guaranteed market for 10 tonnes of dried mangoes, “which translates to 300,000 fruits”.
Mr
James Wekesa, the acting Agriculture chief officer, said only AIC
Cheptebo conference centre had passed the quality test to offer
certified mango seeds in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
“The
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services certified Cheptebo centre. No
other entity should supply the seeds,” Mr Wekesa said.
Kerio
Valley Development Authority (KVDA) plans to build a Sh70 million mango
processing plant in Tot, on the boundary of Elgeyo-Marakwet and West
Pokot counties.
The agency says it has taken the decision as more and more pastoralists in the two counties turn to horticulture.
According
to KVDA, the factory would save farmers up to Sh10 million that they
use to transport mangoes, oranges, pawpaws, watermelons, passion fruit
and other produce to Eldoret and other far-off markets.
Fruit farmers have expressed hope that value addition would boost their income and reduce post-harvest losses.
“The processor will do away with middlemen who take advantage of us. We end up making huge losses,” Mr Joel Kimaiyo said.
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