Elgeyo marakwet: Elgeyo Marakwet county is set to enhance the production of Apple and Ngoe mango varieties following a contract with Premier Foods Company to purchase these mangoes from local farmers.
According to Kenya News Agency, the county's agriculture Chief Officer, Edwin Komen, announced that Premier Foods representatives visited the Kerio Valley, sampled the mangoes, and confirmed the high sugar content of the local produce.
Komen noted that the contract focuses on the Apple and Ngoe varieties, prompting the county to distribute more seedlings to farmers to meet the expected demand. Last year, farmers in the region faced significant losses due to a lack of market access, forcing them to sell mangoes at low prices locally. This new agreement offers a promising market for their produce.
The agriculture department is also addressing challenges related to mango diseases. Komen stated that the department will assist farmers in identifying and treating these issues. Additionally, the county is collaborating with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis) to acquire insect traps to combat pest invasions.
During the announcement, Sambirir MCA Paul Suter encouraged residents to increase agricultural funding during budget public participation. He emphasized that investing 30-40% of ward funds in agriculture could significantly empower the community, as opposed to prioritizing infrastructure projects with little direct impact on residents' lives.
Suter also urged the youth to consider agriculture as a viable career, noting that many young people leave the area in search of white-collar jobs in urban centers, yet farming could provide more lucrative opportunities. He highlighted the county's diverse agricultural ecological zones, which allow for the successful cultivation of various crops, offering a pathway to financial prosperity without needing to seek employment elsewhere.