Energy
Residents of Soin Ward in Rongai Sub County were on Sunday taken through the stages of using geothermal energy to improve agricultural production and value addition.
According to County Executive Committee Member for Water and Environment Dr Nelson Maara, the visit aimed at learning on the utilization of hybridized clean energy from the company to drive climate smart agriculture and agribusiness value chain development. The residents were taken through the direct use of geothermal resources in green house farming, fish farming, milk pasteurization and grain dryers.
This project is a collaborative partnership involving Nakuru County Government, United Nations Environment which is the implementing partner and the funding institution the Italian Agency for Development cooperation.
While commending the funding partners, Dr Maara said that the project will not only improve the livelihoods of the local farmers once implemented but also showcase the potential of renewable energy in transforming rural economies.
Dr Nelson Maara the Nakuru County Executive Committee Member for Water and Environment, holding seedlings.
He also noted that energy plays a significant role in increasing productivity and modernising agricultural production systems. And, energy requirements can be satisfied in different ways, and geothermal has the capacity of reducing the high cost of electricity for the farmers.
Additionally, he said during post- harvest, energy is fundamental for both processing and food preservation, in making higher produce quality of foodstuffs possible. Hence, increasing production efficiency and farmer’s incomes. Apart from that, the county executive said geothermal energy, which is the best form of renewable energy, acts as an important measure for climate mitigation compared to fossil energies.
Present were, area MCA Degaulle Naburuki, UNEP representatives led by Rhoda Wachira, and Geothermal Development Company Officials.