The County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet has struck a partnership with Eldoret-based Mace Foods Company to engage farmers to grow chilli with an assurance of a ready market.
Deputy Governor Prof Grace Cheserek hosted the Company officials led by its Chief Executive Officer Margaret Komen to ink the deal.
The DG said the County and Mace Foods will partner to contract farmers to grow chilli crops which will promote agribusiness under Governor Wisley Rotich’s wealth creation strategy.
“We are aggressively promoting income-generating agribusiness through cash crop growing and today chilli will be in the growing list of cash crops on offer,” she said.
Prof Cheserek further said the County has chosen the contract farming strategy to boost household incomes by providing farmers with a guaranteed market for their produce.
Mace Foods agreement with farmers
Under the deal, the Mace Foods CEO said, the firm will purchase a kilogram of the chilli between Ksh150 to KSh 200. The Company processes the chilli for export.
Additionally, residents will be provided with capacity building programs, provision of seedlings, and extension services.
Up to 1 tonne of chillies can be harvested in ¼ of an acre.
Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation CECM Edwin Seronei welcomed the chilli partnership and urged farmers to embrace the crop.
He said diversification in farming is a sure way of cushioning farmers from losses when one crop fails.
“Diversification helps farmers mitigate risks associated with crop failure and market fluctuations. We shall ensure farmers are provided with high-quality seeds for fast maturity and high yields,” Saronei said.
Also present were Chief officer livestock, Robert Lagat among other staff.
