This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 26, 2020, the government marked the beginning of a significant project in Meru County, with the launch of a Sh100 million cold storage plant. The facility, constructed on community land at Ngusishi in Buuri West subcounty, is expected to be completed within three months.
According to Small and Micro Enterprises Authority MD Henry Rithaa, the plant is one of three such facilities the government intends to construct at a cost of Sh300 million. Rithaa stated, "We were given Sh100 million each for Meru, Nyandarua, and Kisii counties. We started construction in Kisii a month ago, in Meru today, and in Nyandarua next week."
The plant will have a storage capacity of 600 tonnes for a period of up to eight months, helping to reduce post-harvest losses for potato farmers, increase their income, and eliminate middlemen. When operational, farmers will be able to access loans from financial institutions against their stored produce.
Trade and Industrialization CAS Lawrence Karanja emphasized the importance of the project, saying it would save one-third of the harvest that farmers lose every season to spoilage. Karanja also called on local and national government agencies to work together to ensure all counties are compliant with regulations, such as the 50kg packaging regulations for Irish potatoes.
Abbey Construction Ltd has been tasked with delivering the project, with Karanja warning against delays and shoddy work. The contractor was also instructed to use locally sourced labor. Produce delivered for storage at the facility will be examined by a quality survey officer and sorted to meet market standards.
