Trans Nzoia farmers have been urged to embrace crop diversification to increase their sources of income.
According to County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture Phanice Naliaka Khatundi, Governor George Natembeya’s administration is promoting other value chains apart from the maize crop.
“In crop diversification programme, we are promoting coffee, avocado, macadamia, tissue culture bananas among other crops with high value,” Khatundi said.
Speaking at the Soymining area when she toured a tomato farm, Khatundi called on Trans Nzoia farmers to consider horticultural crops instead of relying on maize.
“While we agree maize is our staple food, we need other crops that mature within a short period like these tomatoes so that we have money in our pockets throughout the year,” she appealed.
Trans Nzoia tomato processing plant
The Agriculture county executive also revealed that there is a plan to establish a tomato processing plant in Kapomboi to mop up all the tomatoes produced.
“We already have one in Cherang’any Constituency and we want to establish another one hear so that we add value to our produce. This means more money to our farmers,” stated Khatundi.
Bob Simiyu, a tomatoes marketer said Trans Nzoia farmers can supply tomatoes to a factory throughout the year.
“Why should we take our tomatoes as far as Tanzania and Uganda? If we have a factory here we will not have to worry about wastages caused by lack of markets,” Simiyu stated.
The majority of farmers in Trans Nzoia heavily rely on maize. Sugarcane is also gaining prominence in some parts of the agriculturally viable devolved unit.
