Agriculture
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has asked the national government to provide quality green gram and cotton seeds to increase production in a bid to overcome the deficit being experienced in the area. Mutula said that the Makindu Grain Handling Factory that was constructed with the assistance of the national government, is currently underutilized due to lack of grain in the county.
He also disclosed that Eni Factory at Kwa Kathoka that squeezes cotton seed and processes oil was also underutilised hence the need for farmers to be given seeds to increase production.
“Makindu Grain Handling Factory processes 5 tonnes an hour that translates to 40 tonnes a day. Currently the factory operates below capacity, that is why we ask the national government to provide certified seeds to our farmers in an effort to increase production,” said Mutula while addressing the media at a hotel in Wote town on Wednesday after attending the dissemination of the Medium Term Plan IV.
“We also need certified seed for cotton to be provided to our farmers to plant and improve production and take advantage of Eni Factory that squeezes cotton seed to produce cotton seed cake for chicken. Also value addition to cotton to make textile besides creation of jobs,” said the governor.
While saying the county government has identified areas where the crops will be planted, Mutula also revealed that Eni Factory processes castor plant to produce biodiesel that is exported to Europe. At the same time, he urged the national government to provide market linkage for farmers to sell their farm produce to earn a living and fight rampant poverty.
The governor also emphasised the need to ensure the roads are improved so that farm produce will be transported to markets easily. Further he added that his government has earmarked oranges, mangoes and tomatoes besides others to ensure value addition in an effort to make agriculture attractive and increase earnings for farmers in the area.