Farmers in Tana River County are supposed to use the enormous Galole Integrated Fruit Processing Factory, built by the Coast Development Authority (CDA).
Idris Dokota, PS State Department for Semi-Arid and Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development
Idris Salim Dokota, the principal secretary (PS) for the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development division of the State Department, pleaded with the neighbourhood's farmers to embrace the facility as a lucrative outlet for their products.
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According to Dokota, who also pointed out that the factory also buys mangoes from Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Garissa counties, farmers shouldn't let the program, which was first introduced in 2014 due to a lack of demand, develop into a white elephant.
The PS urged local farmers to wait until mangoes are fully grown before selling them to CDA's fruit processing facility rather than dealing with brokers who have flooded the market, promising immediate payment while subjecting them to massive losses.
He said that because brokers typically profit at the expense of farmers, they should avoid intermediaries for them to be able to make a lot of money from their products.
"Regardless of whether the fruits have reached maturity, Tana River farmers should cease selling to brokers who offer fast payment and wait for the mangoes to ripen. The pulp's quality is impacted by this, according to Dakota.
To command higher prices, he counselled the farmers to add value to their goods. Still, he emphasized the importance of maintaining high product quality in-home and international markets.
The PS mentioned this while on a familiarization tour to assess the construction of the fruit facility and meet local mango producers, together with MD Mohamed Keinan of the Coast Development Authority (CDA).
The creation of local jobs was another goal of the plant, according to Dokota, but he questioned how it would be possible if farmers continued to avoid the factory.
The PS mentioned this while on a familiarization tour to assess the construction of the fruit facility and meet local mango producers, together with MD Mohamed Keinan of the Coast Development Authority (CDA).
The creation of local jobs was another goal of the plant, according to Dokota, but he questioned how it would be possible if farmers continued to avoid the factory.
He pushed the neighbourhood farmers to grow enough mangoes to satisfy market demand. He cautioned them against being taken advantage of by shady middlemen who acquired the fruits for low prices before making an outlandish profit.
Intermediaries allegedly exploited farmers in the past, but now that a factory is close by, they may be able to sell their products for more money.
Idris Dokota, PS State Department for Semi-Arid and Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development
He claims that the factory will help farmers process their mangoes, offer job opportunities, increase people's incomes, and increase the tax base for the county of Tana River.
According to PS Dakota, the only way to create wealth and more jobs, particularly in rural regions, is to invest in value addition.
