By Elizabeth Angira
Worth Noting:
- Mr Wamalwa cited that the banana processing plant will also minimize the role of middleman and improve sell margin of producers and by extension enhance Kisii county revenue through levies.
- Kisii County Governor James Ongwae joined hands with Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and the European Union (EU) to commission it.
- The project is targeted 15 counties e .g Baringo, Kisumu, Kwale, Migori, Taita Taveta, Uasin Gishu , Samburu,Makueni, Nyandarua, , Wajir,West Pokot, Marsabit, Tana River, Kisii and Laikipia .
Farmers in Kisii county are set to reap maximum benefits from their crop following the commissioning of Banana Processing Factory in the area.
The project was initiated 2015 when the country was establishing devolved system.
The project has been jointly mooted through the EU funded ‘Strenghtening the banana value chain project’ under the Instruments for Devolution Advice and Support (IDEAS-Kenya) programme and the Kisii County Government.
Speaking at Kisii County , Acting Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa said that the aim of the is to contribute to realization of Kenya ‘s Big four Agenda on food security and manufacturing.
“The project are in the field of Agri business _ including meat processing, food processing, sweet potato processing, maize storage , commercialization of fishing and freshy whole vegetables,”Mr Wamalwa said.
The Cs said that it will boost income for participating value chain actors will contribute jobs, wealth creation and improve lifestyle.
“The banana project we have commissioned b will create employment and spur local economic development not only for the county but also the country in general. Our target is to see how we can strengthen counties to ensure realization of the Big Four agenda”, Wamalwa said.
He attributed that it will also provide an alternative market for producers and avenue to enhance value addition in making floor.
Mr Wamalwa cited that the banana processing plant will also minimize the role of middleman and improve sell margin of producers and by extension enhance Kisii county revenue through levies.
Kisii County Governor James Ongwae joined hands with Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and the European Union (EU) to commission it.
The project is targeted 15 counties e .g Baringo, Kisumu, Kwale, Migori, Taita Taveta, Uasin Gishu , Samburu,Makueni, Nyandarua, , Wajir,West Pokot, Marsabit, Tana River, Kisii and Laikipia .
The EU has granted the county Sh.110 million for the banana value chain project with the county government giving a counter fund of over Ksh 40 million to establish the factory at a site within the Kisii Agriculture Training Centre land.
Besides the construction of the banana processing plant, the project involves the capacity building for farmers, agriculture extension officers and supply of high-quality commercial banana variety suckers to enhance production.
The project targets over 11, 000 farmers in the county in an engagement aimed at ultimately training all farmers in the county on best practices in banana production to support industry.
Ongwae urged farmers and all county residents to plant more bananas and step up production to sustain the industry which he observed had the potential to turn around the local economy.
He noted that the project also addresses both the aspect of enhancing food security and manufacturing as espoused in the Big 4 agenda.
He hailed Ongwae for initiating the project and noted that Kisii County under the leadership had witnessed fruits of devolution given the numerous development projects so far initiated.
Mr Ongwae thanked the European Union donor community for funding the project saying it will contribute towards improved socio-economic development in the county as well as enhancing value addition through banana processing for improved income and employment.
“Kisii County is an agriculture driven economy. Indeed, banana is one of the most important food and cash crops sustaining many livelihoods in the region,” said Ongwae.
He said, the project is focused on addressing gaps in the Kisii County Banana Value Chain for local Economic Development in line with Vision 2030, the Big Four Agenda and the Kisii County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP)
The factory will produce banana flour, wine, fibre, fertilizer, artificial hair pieces among other products,” observed Ongwae
He urged local farmers and those from Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Homabay, Migori and the lower reaches of Narok county to step up their banana crop production to support the project.
Eu representative Wathome Steven Wathome said that Union will continue working and supporting counties fund cottages since they are creating employment to the people.
Mr Wathome observed that the banana processing project was set to alleviate the suffering farmers in the area had endured in the hands of middlemen who exploited them by buying the produce at a throw away price.
Ps Devolution Julius Korir said that once operational, the banana factory is poised to churn out a number of products including banana powder, hair pieces, crisps and wine among others. He underscored the move to add value to the banana produce saying it will go a long way in increasing the shelf-life of bananas thus guaranteeing farmers more returns on their crop.Kisii is well known in the area of banana production and the county government has already facilitated the registration of a banana farmers’ cooperative society.
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Elizabeth Angira is a trailblazing climate journalist whose work bridges science, policy, and human impact. As Senior Climate Reporter at The Mount Kenya Times, she leads in-depth coverage on climate resilience, energy innovation, and sustainability across East Africa and beyond. Her storytelling has earned international acclaim, including a third-place win for “The Best Energy Story in Foreign Media” by the Global Energy Association in Moscow.
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