Kirinyaga farmers in Kenya are set to benefit from additional four markets being constructed in the county. These will bring to 15 the number of modern markets that Governor Anne Waiguru’s administration has built in a span of three years.
The main beneficiaries of the markets that are under construction in Githure, Gathoge, Karumandi and Makutano are avocado and tomato farmers. Some of the markets that have been completed and in use are Kagio, Kutus, Kerugoya, Makutano, Wang’uru, Kagumo, Kianyaga, Kiamutugu, Sagana and Kibingoti. The new markets are meant to offer a conducive environment for farmers to aggregate their crop for marketing purposes.
These markets have come at a time when the county government, through the Wezesha Kirinyaga economic empowerment programme, is supporting farmers’s groups to increase agricultural production with the aim of improving their livelihoods.
Agricultural value chain
The farmers are being supported to undertake various projects in poultry, avocado, tomato and dairy value chains, hence the market have become an integral part of the entire agricultural value chain. Governor Waiguru noted that the new market will allow them to store their produce there overnight.
The governor also revealed that plans to establish an avocado collection and packaging center are underway. Avocados grown in the county will be processed, packaged and branded at the processing plant in readiness for local and export markets.
She added that a tomato factory will also be constructed to enable processing of the produce for the local and export markets. The factory will enable farmers earn more money from tomato products and save them from post-harvest losses. To boost production, farmers have been supported to establish nurseries where they are propagating quality tomato and avocado seedlings for sale to other growers within and outside the county.
