This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Principal Secretary Charles Sunkuli, and Kisii Governor James Ongwae joined a local musician in a dance at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre.
Thousands of banana farmers in Kisii and Nyamira counties have a reason to smile as the county government began construction of a banana processing factory. The Sh170 million factory, co-funded by the European Union, will offer a value addition chain and provide a ready market for the crop.
The completion of the factory in 2021 will be a significant milestone for Kisii Governor James Ongwae's government, which has been keen to help the farmers. Kisii is the leading banana producer in Western Kenya, producing 350,000 metric tonnes annually.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Ongwae said the factory would enable the processing of bananas into various products locally. The construction of the factory will cost Sh170 million, with the European Union providing Sh110 million and the county government providing Sh60 million and the land for the project.
“Our county currently produces 350,000 metric tonnes of bananas annually, with most of it being sold outside the county. The construction of the factory will be a major milestone to our present and future generations,” said Ongwae.
At least 3,000 metric tonnes are sold outside the county per week, translating to around 150,000 metric tonnes. Ongwae said that middlemen currently earn 90 per cent of the proceeds of bananas, while farmers get only 10 per cent. The project aims to turn around the socio-economic status of the area residents.
He called on farmers to cultivate more bananas to ensure the factory runs smoothly. Ongwae said that once the factory is complete, it will provide a ready market for farmers from Nyamira, Homa Bay, Migori, and Bomet counties.
He said the factory will produce banana wine, banana fibre, and refined banana fruit among other products, which will be sold in local and international markets, earning the county good revenue.
“Our farmers are going to earn more money from the processing of banana products in Kisii since we will be churning out the finished product unlike now where we sell the raw material which goes for a cheap price,” said Ongwae.
A representative of the European Union, Vincent De Boer, said they will continue supporting similar projects in various counties.
