State builds Sh20m banana market

By Kenan Miruka

The Government has set up a Sh20 million banana collection centre in Gucha, Kisii County to boost access to the market by local farmers.

The market located at Riombongi in Nyamache District is funded through the Small Holder Market Access Programme. It is part of a commercial village market model under the Ministry of Agriculture aimed at enabling farmers meet market requirements for their commodities.

Gucha District Agriculture Officer Mulei Mutiso said the funds for the project have been approved and construction had begun.

“Banana farming is a lucrative agricultural activity in this region. The collection centre will have storage facilities and provisions for value addition for bananas. Commodity producers and traders will converge at the collection centre,  boosting market access while cutting down on losses,” said Mr Mutiso.

He said farmers had been sensitised on the need for Good Agricultural Practices and mobilised to come up with commodity groups in various value chains to ensure they can meet market requirements in terms of volumes and other agreed terms.

“The main challenge in marketing has been poor infrastructure and lack of bulk production on the part of farmers. Through this village marketing model, farmers can produce in bulk and quality is assured through checks,” explained Mutiso.

He said the ministry in collaboration with various stakeholders would construct modern fresh produce markets at Riosiri, Bara Inne, and Kenyenya trading centres.