Elgeyo Marakwet county government has reached an agreement with the Pakistani High Commission seeking to boost its agricultural sector.
In her visit to the county, the Pakistani High Commissioner to Kenya Saqlain Syedah met with the county officials to discuss how they can collaborate in terms of infrastructure, marketing and farm inputs to help improve the agricultural sector.
During the meeting it was revealed that the farmers will benefit from the relationship on crops such as potatoes, citrus, mangoes, macadamia and avocados.
The Pakistan envoy noted that the two countries had complimentary seasons and thus are not competing with each other but can support each other
“For instance our mangoes ripen from July to September which is a different season from the mango season here meaning we will all benefit mutually,” she said.
Chief Officer of Agriculture and Irrigation Timothy Kiptum noted that the deal will benefit farmers in terms of mechanization of farm produce as well as enhancing potato and avocado value chain.
Kiptum added that the partnership will give farmers who want to venture into the export market into Pakistan a soft landing to handle their business.
The county secretary Paul Chemutut reiterated that the collaboration will get rid of middle men who have a tendency of taking advantage of farmers putting them at a disadvantage of not earning what they deserve.
“Direct market for our farm produce will transform the economy of our county as farmers will benefit from a ready market for their produce thus avoiding market exploitation by brokers,” said Chemutut.
By Rennish Okong’o
