A view of the Banana factory at Kisii Farmers Agricultural Training Cente Kisii County has in the recent past undergone a major economic transformation, boosting businesses and attracting new ventures.
The growth is seen in, among other developments, new food processing industries as the county moves to cash in on increased agricultural production.
Farmers are banking on the completion of a new banana processing plant and another one for avocados to end their woes of perennial losses due to the lack of a ready market for the two crops.
Agriculture Executive Esman Onsarigo said the two plants at the Kisii Agricultural College (ATC) could set off an industrial revolution and spur improved economic growth for the agriculture-rich county.
"For decades, a good share of their produce has been going to waste for lack of market and the major challenge of dealing with middlemen fleecing farmers,” said Mr Onsarigo.
Some farmers who have ventured into growing bananas and avocados on a large scale anticipate big returns. Completion of the two processing plants is a major win for locals following the closure of Coca-Cola ‘s bottling plant in Kisii town three years ago, rendering thousands of people who relied on the factory directly and indirectly jobless.
The latest development comes at a time when the once vibrant agricultural hub has attained municipality status, incorporating other fast-growing towns adjacent to Kisii town.
A 20-year (2022-2042) economic blueprint launched a month ago is expected to factor in the expansion of the town’s boundaries.
The current municipality has a radius of 25 kilometres, but the new plan shows the town is to expand to a radius of 77 kilometres.
"Kisii has been facing congestion, uncontrolled development, and floods due to lack of proper land-use plan. The new plan will open the way for new economic frontiers and investments,” said Municipal Board Chairman Jamil Shamji.
The region is also becoming a major economic hub, leading to the opening of a clearing house of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in Kisii town in October 2020.The County Finance Chief Officer Wilfred Auma said Kisii has experienced a major economic transformation in recent years.“This transformation can be attributed to the millions of shillings invested by the diaspora community around the world,” said Ms Auma. A farmer inspects her bananas at her Kionganyo farm in Kisii County In the last few years, the Kisii community in the diaspora has invested in hotels, residential and commercial properties and hospitals, […]