Kisii County Celebrates Milestone: Soovita Banana Wine Takes Center Stage in Inaugural Launch

By: Elizabeth Angira

Worth Noting:

• Mitei highlighted the potential of the plant to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and attract additional investors to contribute to the banana value chain.
• Vicky Nyaboke, the CEO of the farm, expressed gratitude for the supportive environment provided by both the county and national governments.
• She called upon Kenyan Envoys to promote Kenyan products abroad, emphasizing the economic benefits of foreign exchange earnings.

Kisii County has marked a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural banana wine, Soovita banana wine.

During the event held in Kisii, Nandi Deputy Governor Eurita Mitei underscored the importance of farmers forming cooperative societies to empower them in negotiating fair prices for their agricultural products.

Mitei emphasized that such cooperatives would eliminate intermediaries who exploit farmers by purchasing their goods at low prices and reselling them at higher rates, leaving the farmers impoverished.

Addressing the audience, Mitei encouraged farmers to embrace value addition, asserting that it would not only generate employment opportunities but also enhance earnings and overall quality of life.

She praised the establishment of the manufacturing plant, the first in the western region and Rift Valley, aligning it with the national government’s manufacturing pillar.

“I urge farmers to increase banana production to sustain the newly inaugurated plant, cautioning against brokers seeking to take advantage of them,” said deputy governor.

Mitei highlighted the potential of the plant to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and attract additional investors to contribute to the banana value chain.

Vicky Nyaboke, the CEO of the farm, expressed gratitude for the supportive environment provided by both the county and national governments.

She called upon Kenyan Envoys to promote Kenyan products abroad, emphasizing the economic benefits of foreign exchange earnings.

Nyaboke noted the creation of job opportunities for the youth and outlined plans for exporting the banana wine.

“I laud the county and the national government for giving us an enabling environment in the venture and will continue with the partnership” Nyaboke said.

James Ntabo, the Kisii County Secretary, disclosed ongoing efforts by the county and national governments to construct an industrial park in Tongeri, Bomachoge Borabu constituency.

The industrial park aims to enhance the value chain and generate employment for the youth. Ntabo highlighted the inclusion of a cold room in the park to assist farmers in avoiding post-harvest losses.

Shifting focus to agriculture, the text delves into the significance of tissue culture (TC) in banana production in Kenya.

The technology has played a vital role in overcoming challenges such as soil degradation, pests, and diseases that threatened food security. The adoption of tissue culture has resulted in superior, early maturing planting materials with increased yields and larger bunch weights compared to conventional methods

The company’s investment of thirty million Kenyan shillings in a certified tissue culture laboratory underscores the growing demand for TC bananas and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The venture has not only proven economically viable but has also contributed to narrowing the gender gap, benefiting women involved in tending the crops.

The dual focus on the launch of banana wine in Kisii County and the advancements in tissue culture technology demonstrates the region’s commitment to agricultural innovation, economic growth, and empowerment of its farming community.