JKUAT in value addition partnership with Kiambu County

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has entered into a partnership with the National Government Affirmative Action Fund-Kiambu to establish a banana value chain enterprise.

The partnership will among other things, develop a banana aggregation centre, and write proposals that would fund the project.

As part of the deal, JKUAT will provide the expertise to establish the centre, provide land to build the structure, provide extension and outreach services, provide crop production and agro-processing expertise plus tissue culture banana seedlings.

Speaking at the launch, Kiambu County Woman Representative, Gathoni wa Muchomba, noted that the deal will create new job opportunities for over 3,000 women, youth and people living with disability.

Vice Chancellor, JKUAT, Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi expressed her desire to continue working with Kiambu County and the community at large stating that JKUAT was committed to its corporate social responsibilities.

Such projects and partnerships, Prof Ngumi pointed out, had become the university’s priorities in actualisation of the governments’ four pillars of development. With banana being the second most consumed product in Kiambu and Nairobi County, wa Muchomba pledged to forge partnerships with prospective buyers saying self-sustainable networks were critical in development and implementation of the government’s four pillars of development.

Prof Ngumi expressed confidence in the future of the partnership.