Horticultural farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet have for long time suffered at the hands of middle-men beside post harvest losses related to poor handling and storage of their crops while being transported to the market.
To address these challenges, a new facility dubbed – a pack house – has now been opened at Kombabelio, in Kapchemutwa Ward.
The facility was constructed in partnership with Farm African, a leading charity working with smallholder farmers.
It has a 15 tonne capacity with a coldroom, and it is also designed to help smallholder farmers market their produce and increase packaging efficiency.
“With new facility now operational, farmers who grow snowpeas, sugar snaps, french beans, and other crops will no longer be waiting for refrigerated lorries to pick their produce from the farm,” said Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich.
It also has a good agricultural practices centre (GAP), which will ensure that the produce meets international market standards.
Farm African team was led by its Country Programmes Manager, Mr George Ochuodo.
Present at the event were County Commissioner John Korir, Kapchemutwa Ward MCA Steve Cheruiyot, Dickson Kimathi from Kenya Horticultural Exporters and Barnabas Kiptum (AFA.).
Others were area MCA Stephen Cheruiyot, CECMs Edwin Kibor and Thomas Maiyo, COs Elizabeth Korir, Edwin Komen.
Other staff from the Agriculture Department and other County staff were also present.
#kilimobora
