By Bisola Adeyemo
Migori county in collaboration with the European Union has commissioned the first potato processing machine that will enable farmers to expand production in Kenya.
The multi-million plant is expected to process over 100 tons of sweet potatoes daily.
Speaking at the launching on Monday, Defence Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, said county provided Sh10 million and ground implementation logistics, while the EU granted Sh107 million for the construction of factory structures, purchase of processing machines, and capacity building of sweet potato value chain stakeholders.
He also said through the partnership with local leadership, especially the county governments, the government is striving towards value addition in potential areas to create employment and also enhance food security.
“Today I am happy to be here for this major project. We have been working together with both county and national government to stir local economic development and see how to build on the president’s big four agenda pillars on food security and manufacturing,” said the CS.
He, therefore, urged local farmers to embrace sweet potato planting in large numbers to benefit from the ready market that is now within the reach.