Avocado, banana processors set to begin operations

Kisii Agricultural Training Centre principal Dorice Omwocha (centre) receives a best overall cow and Champion Ayrshire breed trophy from Kisii Governor James Ongwae (right)at Kisii show ground during the official opening of The 2019 Southern Kenya Branch show.[Sammy Omingo/standard]

Plans are at an advanced stage to have avocado and banana factories operational in Kisii, Governor James Ongwae has said.

Speaking when he launched the Kisii Agriculture Society of Kenya Show in Kisii Town on Saturday, Mr Ongwae said construction of an avocado factory was almost done while that of the banana processor would be launched next week.

“I am aware that the establishment of the factories in Kisii is long overdue. We are now set to launch the factories with the support of various partners in order to ensure their byproducts are processed locally,” said Ongwae.

Gusii land is among leading producers of the two fruits in the country.

Thursday visit

A delegation from the European Union (EU) will be in Kisii on Thursday for the launch of the construction of the banana factory, which has received funding to the tune of Sh110 million from the EU.

At the same time, Ongwae regretted that coffee farmers earned Sh221 million from the 22 coffee societies in the region in the last financial year and appealed to area legislators to lobby for waiver of Sh584 million debt the societies owed the Government.

“Coffee societies in other counties have been helped through waivers to ensure they are resuscitated. When President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Kisii early this year, I asked for the waiver and it is upon our elected leaders to make a follow-up,” said Ongwae.

MPs Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North) and Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South) promised to support the waiver cut legislation.