Pyrethrum farmers in Njoro sub-county have received 16 solar driers from the county’s Department of Agriculture to help maintain the quality of the flowers after harvesting.
County Agricultural engineer Naomi Chemain said the move was aimed at benefiting small scale farmers during post-harvest preparations of pyrethrum to ensure quality production.
She urged the farmers to utilize this resource and increase the quantity produced too as this project was in line with Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s agenda in reviving the industry.
Among the beneficiaries was a small-scale farmer from Mauche ward Edward Mutai who observed that this was a noble cause and would go a long way in addressing the drying challenges that pyrethrum farmers have encountered in the past.
Mutai noted that drying the flowers especially during the rainy season has been a nightmare to them but with the introduction of the solar driers, they would be able to minimize losses and hence produce quality marketable products.
Other farmers from Kihingo, Njoro, Nessuit, Lare and Mau-Narok wards received the solar driers while those from Subukia and Bahati sub-counties were also set to benefit.
By Emily Kadzo
