Chuka University Vice Chancellor Erastus Njoka has underscored the need to have agribusiness industries in Tharaka Nithi County to uplift the livelihoods of the local residents.
Professor Njoka called upon investors to put money into devolved units through building of industries as the units are full of potential.
Addressing a group of residents at the chief’s office in Rubate sub-location, the Vice Chancellor said it was important to construct avocados and macadamia processing industries in the county for export as well as to create employment.
He said avocado and macadamia business has been a source of wealth to many people in the world.
“We would like people to invest in mashinani, that way, they will be able to boost their livelihoods through creation of employment in the industries,” he said.
The professor further revealed that they are planning on constructing another constituent college of Chuka University in the county to boost development in the region.
“We need a university in this sub-location to uplift the lives of the people,” he added.
Njoka disclosed that Tharaka Nithi should aim to have local industries which will facilitate export and import of goods.
The Vice Chancellor revealed that the county is doing very well in banana, coffee and tea farming and encouraged farmers to explore other varieties of crops and fruits such as apples.
“We have a very good climate here that can favour the growth of different varieties of foods, we should take advantage of it and diversify our farm produce,” he advised residents.
The professor said that Tharaka Nithi is endowed with 12 permanent rivers which makes the county very favourable for irrigated agriculture.
By Sharon Gitau
