By RENSON BULUMA
Cotton farming in Busia County is set for a major boost after the governor reassured farmers he would revive all stalled ginneries.
Mr Sospeter Ojaamong’ said his government plans to spend over Sh50 million to revive the four cotton ginneries in Muluanda, Nambale, Amukura and Malakisi to boost cotton production.
He said the revival would to boost the economy through creation of job opportunities and poverty reduction, which currently stand at 65 per cent. He said Muluanda ginnery in Samia District, which has capacity to gin seven bales per day, will be the first to be revived at a cost of Sh5 million adding that part of the money will go towards repair works, installation of electricity and buying of cotton from farmers to start operation.
“We have allocated enough money for the project and hopefully by July, the Muluanda ginnery will be operational,” said Ojaamong adding that the ginnery will be able to offer direct employment to over 200 people.
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Stalled sector
The governor said the other three ginneries will be revived in phases at a cost of about Sh15 million each marking a turnaround for the cotton industry in the area which stalled in the mid-90s following the introduction of second hand clothes.
He made the remarks during an inspection tour of development projects, in Namboto/Nambuku ward in Funyula constituency that included visiting the ginnery and the proposed site for the construction of Muluanda Bridge.
He was accompanied by Busia County Assembly Speaker Benard Wamalwa, deputy Speaker Moses Ote, Leader of Majority in the County Assembly Josephat Wandera and all the 35 ward representatives from the county.
Mr Wamalwa said the region has good climatic conditions for cotton production.
