Plan to set up Sh600m milling plant

What you need to know:

  • The county government has signed an agreement with Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation to establish the plant in Kitale.

The county government is planning to establish a Sh600 million maize milling plant to boost farmers’ profits.

Maize farmers said Monday the milling plant would help them add value to their produce.

“We highly welcome this initiative since it is the only way we can face the market because prices have been affected by middlemen,” said Farmers and Livestock Association chairman Andrew Rotich.

The county government has signed an agreement with Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation to establish the plant in Kitale.
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Governor Patrick Khaemba said the deal would help farmers add value to their produce before selling to get better returns.

“With an unpredictable maize market, we have to invest in value addition so that our farmers are not manipulated by middlemen,” said the governor.

Mr Khaemba went on: “The government has initiated a maize irrigation project at Galana expected to produce 40 million bags. This means we will lack a market for our maize,” he said.