Dependency on importing agricultural produce leads to poor economy, Governor Cheboi

Kabarnet, Wednesday, May 10, 2023

KNA by Benson Kelio

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has blamed the economic meltdown witnessed in the country to over reliance on imports.

Cheboi made the observation during the launch and distribution of subsidized coffee seedlings worth Sh5 million at the Baringo Cha Coffee Mill grounds in Katimok, Baringo North Sub County on Tuesday.

The County boss whose administration has teamed up with a Korean partner World Best Friends in coffee production and linkages of international markets stated that in order to boost the economy, all stakeholders should support the efforts of both the national and county governments as well as development partners by promoting agriculture as an avenue of turning around the economy.

Cheboi flanked by his deputy Engineer Felix Kimaiyo and County Secretary Jacob Chepkwony said farmers should focus on cash crops like coffee, macadamia, mangoes, pyrethrum amongst other lucrative crops for export to foreign markets so that the country can benefit from foreign exchange.

Cheboi said the county administration is supporting farmers through their Saccos by providing opportunities for aggregation which apart from discouraging middlemen also secures international markets and in turn makes them reap better returns.

He said that plans are underway towards producing more and doing value addition before selling to overseas countries which require Kenyan agricultural products.

World Best Friends Chairman Rev Cha Boyong said Baringo is blessed to have fertile land which farmers can greatly benefit from if they take keen interest in extensive agriculture.

He encouraged farmers to make good use of the two-year-old Sh100 million coffee mill in the area which supports farmers through exportation of their coffee to South Korea and in turn improve their livelihoods.

The launched drive, which seeks to support local farmers in distribution of more than 500,000 subsidized coffee seedlings, is aimed at ensuring that the crop's potential areas in the county benefit from high quality seedlings.

The program also aims at enhancing sustainability of the factory which has a capacity to mill 10 tonnes daily but did not realize its potential during its first year of operation as farmers only produced 90 tons.

Courtesy; K.N.A