The government has urged farmers in Busia to invest in groundnuts, simsim, sunflower and soy beans with a view to developing the county’s economy.
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Principal Secretary (PS) Susan Mang’eni, while speaking during the disbursement of Sh24.5 million grant to 35 cooperative societies in Busia, said Kenya spends about Sh150 billion per year in importing edible oil raw materials.
However, Mang’eni was emphatic that we have the potential to produce our own raw materials of the edible oil locally, adding, “It’s time for the local farmers to invest in their farms, produce the requisite materials and get the money that is being used to import such supplies from other countries,” she said.
The PS encouraged farmers to invest the grant funds in producing edible oil raw materials, adding that Busia is the only county within Western Kenya region that has a Special Economic Zone (EPZ).
This grant to Saccos was done through the collaboration between the World Bank and the national government and also the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).
“Every year, we need around 40,000 tons of edible oil and this cannot be produced by Busia alone, so we need to bring on board more people so that we can increase our production level,” she said.
“The Nasewa EPZ is a special economic zone and Busia is the gateway to East and Central Africa,” she said.
The PS challenged the local farmers to fully utilize the county’s potential so that it can attract foreign investors.
At the same time, Mang’eni urged the local youth to join the Saccos in order to make each ward an economic unit.
“In our ministry, we promote cottage industries and if each ward had an industry then we could realize faster development for our people,” she said.
The PS also advised Sacco members to come up with smaller groupings within the main organization, aimed at encouraging others to join their social movements.
The PS at the same time urged the youth to assist farmers in value addition within the Sacco apex.
Mang’eni also urged the county government to work closely with the county security team to ensure that fish traders at Soko matope are relocated in an organized way.
“Let us ensure that the traders who had stalls at the former fish market are given priority,” she said.
Additionally, the PS urged area residents to refrain from acts of lawlessness and mob injustice.
“Development abhors chaos, so let us abide by the law,” she advised.
Busia governor, Dr. Paul Otuoma on his part said his government has onboarded 245 agripreneurs who will be linked to the Saccos and farmer producer organizations to strengthen extension services.
“These agripreneurs will play a vital role in linking production to processing and marketing,” he said.
By Salome Alwanda and Wandera Evans
