In Nyamache, Kisii county, the construction of a Sh117 million (€936,000) modern banana market has started. During the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, governor James Ongwae said the facility would help increase farmers’ earnings.
The project is a collaboration between the Kisii government, the national government and World Bank through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Programme (NARIGP). NARIGP has funded the project to the tune of Sh100 million while the county has availed the land and Sh17 million.
Ongwae said Nyamache Banana Market, whose overall goal is to increase profitability, was identified from the County Integrated Development Plan. “During the NARIGP participatory integrated community development process, the market was identified and prioritised among the eight targeted multi-community investments recommended for implementation.”
He said the market was chosen due to the area’s centrality. The area is the leading producer of bananas in the county, with a total production of 32,600,000 kilogrammes annually from 1,230 hectares (approximately 3,039 acres) at an average yield of 20,000 kilos per hectare.
[ Sh100 = €0.80 ]
