Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investments, Trade and Industry Salim Mvurya visited the Eni Kenya B.V Agri-Business Hub in the coastal county of Kwale to assess ongoing expansion operations.
CS Mvurya says the Italian oil company Eni Kenya BV has embarked on expanding its biofuel supply chain production, positioning the coastal county as a vital player in biofuel production.
Mvurya says the move will in the long run benefit local communities while enhancing Kenya’s renewable energy capacity.
During the extensive factory tour Mvurya was accompanied by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Kinango MP Gonzi Rai, and Principal Secretary, State department for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan and Eni Kenya BV Managing Director Enrico Tavolini.
Mvurya says the expansion of Eni Kenya B.V.’s agri-business operations in Bonje, Kwale County, is set to unlock significant employment opportunities for the local community, both directly and indirectly.
The Italian company is also involved in the production of castor oil, croton and cotton seeds to extract vegetable oil used for biodiesel and sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The Minister who has expressed his unwavering commitment to boost castor oil value chain development in the country says the Italian oil firm seeks to partner with local farmers to produce high-quality castor oil for biofuel for the export market.
Castor is considered one of the most remunerative crops in the world with a naturally high seed oil content produced from castor beans.
Industry players contend that castor beans have more than 300 uses ranging from pharmaceuticals, lubrication, fuel, food and beverages among other uses.
Castor oil, produced from castor beans, has long been considered to be of important commercial value primarily for the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, and coatings, among others.
Mvurya says globally drought-resistant castor oil plantations are increasingly being touted as a climate-friendly energy alternative to fossil fuels.
He says his ministry encourages all the stakeholders in the castor oil value chain to collaborate more and explore the full potential of the local castor beans.
The Trade and Investment CS says by implementing this agribusiness model, Eni aims to assist farmers in Kwale with land preparation, provide high-quality seeds, and support the entire farming process from planting to harvesting.
He disclosed that Eni will purchase the harvested castor oil and export it to Italy for refinement, tapping into global markets where the demand for biofuels continues to rise.
“At least 104,000 farmers in Kwale have been empowered to engage in castor farming, a crop well-suited for arid and semi-arid lands,” he said adding that castor bean can be a game changer for the local farmers.
He went further ‘through close collaboration with my ministry, the Italian company and the devolved government of Kwale this new expansion initiative aims to create 200,000 employment opportunities,” he said adding that these opportunities will span key sectors such as logistics, processing, and agricultural support services, ensuring widespread economic benefits for the region.
Mvurya says the national government will continue to provide an enabling environment for foreign investors to operate and thrive in the country to address the growing youth unemployment.
Governor Achani says with a growing demand for castor seeds and other agricultural products, local farmers are expected to experience a boost in their incomes and overall livelihoods.
She says the partnership between her administration, Eni Kenya, Ministry of Trade and Investment will help establish a sustainable agricultural supply chain, laying the foundation for long-term economic stability and growth in Kwale.
“Am encouraging our investors to kindly give the local people first priority in terms of employment and business opportunities whenever you put up your firms in Kwale as the local people need these opportunities,”Achani said.
The coastal county boss called on local farmers to take up castor bean farming and production to generate more income and improve their livelihoods besides ensuring processors have consistency of supply.
The Managing Director -Enrico Tavolini Eni Kenya Bonje assured Kwale county and the national government that the oil firm will continue to work closely with the two levels of government for smooth running of the company that in turn will boost the economy of Kwale and Kenya at large.
He says that castor oil can be used to produce biodiesel, which is a biodegradable, reusable, and rechargeable alternative to fossil fuels.
Tavolini noted that the Italian oil firm has the capacity to manufacture and distribute castor oil produced in Kenya on a large scale in the international market.
“We want to promote castor bean farming here in Kwale by supporting the small scale farmers in the entire coastal region by boosting cultivation of the castor oil plant to produce biodiesel,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
