USAID boost Mwingi Mango farmers

Kitui, Thursday, May 18, 2023

KNA by Denson Mututo

Mwingi Horticulture Farmers Cooperative Society is transforming the livelihood of Mango farmers in the Mwingi regions of Kitui County through value addition of the fruit.

The Society with the help of USAID has embarked on processing and preservation of the Mango fruits using modern Solar Technology to reduce post-harvest waste of the Mangoes in efforts to ensure a continuous fruit supply chain of the mango season. 

The USAID facilitated the society in purchasing two solar power technology driers for processing the mangoes and other numerous fruits and vegetables locally produced. 

According to the society chairman Sammy Mwanthi Kibwana, local farmers incurred massive waste of mango produce before the formation of the society 15 years ago but in the year 2017, the Kitui county government in partnership with the USAID donated and installed the solar power technology Fruit Processing Plant to the society, aimed at helping the local mango farmers in reducing post-harvest losses of the fruit 

Kitui County leads in mango production in the country however huge amounts of the fruit usually get wasted during post-harvest, said the Society chairman while speaking today at the plant. 

Mwanthi, the chairperson of the 70 member’s society further lamented the low processing capacity of the solar technology processing plant and appealed to national and county governments, USAID as well as other donors and development partners to support the society by donating more solar driers to processing capacity. 

"With the establishment of this fruit processing plant and reduced wastage of the mangoes in post-harvest, over 1000 local farmers and residents highly benefit with their livelihood improved" the chairman added, noting increased income fruits, food security.

The society chairman underscored that the Sh.8 million solar plant has created and provided employment and job opportunities to local farmers and residents who own a stake and grow wealth, learn new technologies, and learn about value addition to increase farm incomes. Our farmers are the primary stakeholders of the plant. 

Government authorities and Department are involved with the enhancement of the quality of our fruits, control of the fruit fly, and farmer education to ensure the fruits processed in the plant are compliant with high standards of KEBS and as well international health requirements.

A supervisor at the Mwingi Horticulture Farmers Cooperative Society's solar power technology plant Madam Christine Musyoka to Kenya News Agency the plant today said that not only mangoes are processed at the plant but also several other fruits are processed as well and among them included, paw paws, bananas, cowpeas leaves, and different products are as well produced. 

According to the plant supervisor, several products are produced upon the processing of the different fruits. However, the vegetables are only dried for preservation for use.

"Different products are produced after processing of the fruits, and common products are processed are fruits flakes, juice, jam, aches masala, and flavors. They are all packaged and sold to local markets in the country," said Christine.

Christine noted that the products are packed in several amounts with selling at different prices and can stay up to two years before they expire.

Kitui County government director of special program madam Redemptory Mary while speaking to the media affirmed the county government's continued support to the society noting of the county governor Dr Julius Malombe's fulfillment of his manifesto of economic empowerment of women in the county.

 Courtesy; K.N.A