Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa led a delegation from Migori County Government and the European Union during the official opening of the Getonganya Sweet Potato processing factory in Kuria West.
The Sh117 million processing plant funded by the county government and the European Union grant becomes the first of its kind the region.
Upon its full operation,the plant is expected to process over 100 tons of sweet potatoes daily.
Food Security
During the commissioning,CS Wamalwa noted that the plant is among other 15 similar projects across the country aimed at achieving the big four agenda of food security and manufacturing.
“We have been working together with both county and national government to stir local economic development, to build on the president’s big four agenda pillars on food security and manufacturing,” he said.
Wamalwa further said that the government is striving towards value addition to areas with the potential of creating employment and also enhancing food security.
Migori Governor Zachary Obado noted that the plant will not only have an economic impact on the residents but also on the entire Nation.
Sweet Potato Farming
Obado urged farmers in the county to embrace sweet potato planting in large numbers to benefit from the ready market that is within reach.
The Governor further cited that through the opening of the plant, the county has met its objective of contributing to the socio-economic development of the community.
“With this factory becoming fully operational, the people will be able to enjoy the sweet and medicinal bread made from their crop,” he said.
“That notwithstanding, jobs, the good prices from their potato and the sumptuous business environment will be created,” he furthered.
Production
Migori County is listed as the second-largest producer of Orange-fleshed sweet-potato (OFSP), after Homa Bay County, with 11,312 hectares under cultivation.
Over the years, sweet potato production in Migori has been unattractive and only done on a small scale due to a lack of market.
Brokers have also taken advantage of the lack of market to exploit the farmers.
Kuria region produces close to 0.3 million tons of sweet potatoes per year with an estimated 6, 500 farmers involved in the production.