Busia: The government has encouraged farmers in Busia to focus on cultivating groundnuts, simsim, sunflower, and soybeans to boost the county's economy. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Principal Secretary (PS) Susan Mang'eni emphasized the potential for local production of edible oil raw materials during the disbursement of a Sh24.5 million grant to 35 cooperative societies in Busia.
According to Kenya News Agency, PS Mang'eni noted that Kenya spends approximately Sh150 billion annually on importing edible oil raw materials. She asserted the country's capacity to produce these materials locally, urging farmers to capitalize on their farms to generate income that currently flows abroad due to imports. The grant to the cooperatives was facilitated through a collaboration between the World Bank, the national government, and the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).
Mang'eni highlighted that Busia, being the only county in the Western Kenya region with a Special Economic Zone (EPZ), presents unique opportunities. The Nasewa EPZ positions Busia as a gateway to East and Central Africa, and she encouraged farmers to maximize this potential to attract foreign investment. She also called upon local youth to join Saccos, turning each ward into an economic unit.
The Principal Secretary advised Sacco members to form smaller groupings within their organizations to promote social movements and urged the youth to assist farmers with value addition in the Sacco apex. Furthermore, Mang'eni requested collaboration between the county government and security teams to ensure organized relocation of fish traders at Soko Matope and stressed the importance of lawfulness to foster development.
Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma shared that his administration has engaged 245 agripreneurs to connect with Saccos and farmer producer organizations to enhance extension services. These agripreneurs aim to bridge the gap between production, processing, and marketing, contributing significantly to the county's agricultural development.