President William Ruto has promised to set up agro-processing industries in at least each of the 47 counties. President William Ruto said factories must be fashioned to processing of agricultural products creating a further by-product.
The agro-processing industry entails transforming products originating from agriculture, sugarcane, forestry as well as fisheries industries. Ruto who speaking in Rongo town, Migori said agro-processing sector, will add significant value to raw agricultural products and create more wealth and jobs.
He disclosed that the national government will give Sh100 million and the County will add another Sh100 for agro-processing.
“We will give Sh100 million and the rest will come from the donor community to help us affect the idea of agro-processing,’’ said Ruto.
The idea entails packaging raw fresh produce, processing/extraction, and packaging of juices, jams, and jellies for local markets. Earlier, Samuel Mogeni, deputy director in the State Department of Industry at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) said industrial park will be constructed as part of a drive by the national government to roll out a multi-billion shilling agricultural industrialisation program this year.
“The ministry is focusing on addressing the various challenges faced by our SMEs in the agro-processing sector by setting up specialised facilities to support their incubation and growth into exporters. These aggregation and industrial parks are destined for each county to provide all Kenyans with an opportunity to build a world class business,” Mogeni said.
