Nairobi: Lake Kenyatta Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Hongwe Ward has received a major agricultural boost following the official launch of the first-ever seed pressing machine at the cooperative. The machine, donated by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) in partnership with the County Government of Lamu, is expected to significantly enhance value addition in the region’s agricultural sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, the installation marks a key milestone in efforts to transition farmers from raw production to processing, enabling them to produce biodiesel and other by-products, including animal feed, a commodity that remains in short supply nationally. Speaking during the launch Friday, Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj urged farmers to fully embrace the factory, noting that value addition remains central to increasing income and creating employment opportunities.
Dr. Bahjaj stated, ‘Processed products such as biodiesel fetch higher market value compared to raw produce, and it is the reason why farmers have for the past two years been encouraged to scale up production to ensure a steady supply of raw materials for the facility.’ He also announced that the County Government of Lamu, in partnership with a private investor, is set to establish a bixa processing factory as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains under Governor Issa Timamy’s administration.
AFA Chairman Cornel Serem highlighted that the seed pressing machine will enable farmers to produce biodiesel and other by-products, including animal feeds, helping address shortages in the livestock sector. He encouraged farmers to submit proposals for support, assuring them of continued AFA backing provided production levels are sustained. He further reaffirmed AFA’s commitment to working closely with farmers and county governments to enhance agricultural productivity and value addition across the country.
Lamu County Executive for Agriculture James Gichu noted that such investments will play a key role in job creation and rural economic empowerment. Gichu stated, ‘As the county agriculture department, we continue to ask farmers to join cooperatives and fully embrace value addition initiatives, as the national and county governments are committed to ensuring that farming succeeds as a sector that creates jobs for more than 60 percent of the county.’
Source: Kenya News Agency
