The County Government of Nakuru has partnered with the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) in refurbishing pyrethrum driers that use geothermal steam at Eburru in Gilgil.
According to Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Dr. Immaculate Maina, the driers will not only hasten drying period and make work easier but will also help maintain quality.
Maina said though there are several geothermal-driven driers in the area, they all broke down with the collapse of the pyrethrum industry in the late 90s.
She spoke while inspecting the collection and weighing of pyrethrum at the Eburru Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Eburru on Friday.
Over two tonnes of the product was collected during her visit.
Maina said farmers took home over Sh400,000 from the tonnes collected.
Kentegra, an American company purchases a Kg of dry flowers at Sh200.
Nakuru County Assembly Agriculture Committee`s vice chairman Wilson Mwangi said liberalization of the pyrethrum sector came with good tidings since farmers have a variety of companies to sell to.
Mwangi said the sector needs to be allocated more funds.
He urged Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri to channel money directly to counties for farmers to acquire clean planting material.
Ms. Veronica Wanjiku, a pyrethrum farmer said the crop and the timely payment has helped her meet her medical bills unlike other years before.
Ms. Ruth Kimani urged the County Government of Nakuru to increase the number of planting materials and work on timely distribution.
Dr. Immaculate attributed the success of the first planting phase to the agricultural extension officers and synergy between private partners and the county government.
Nakuru County Government has signed a contract with Kentegra, the US biotechnology firm to develop and market the crop.
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