The County Government of Uasin Gishu has revealed plans to set up a maize milling plant at a cost of Sh472 million.
Kabenes area in Moiben Sub County will host the mega project.
According to the County Executive in charge of Cooperatives and Enterprise Development Esther Mutai, setting up of the plant is part of the efforts by the devolved unit to cushion farmers and help them engage in value addition so as to get better returns.
In the plan for the project, farmers through their respective cooperative unions will contribute Sh500,000 while the County Government will fund individual cooperatives in a bid to boost their contribution towards the construction of the plant.
“Once completed, the project will save farmers from exploitation from unscrupulous traders and brokers who have been purchasing their produce at throwaway prices,” said Mutai in Kabenes, Tuesday.
The County Executive further said the milling plant will go along way in addressing a myriad of challenges facing the maize sector whereby farmers will have a voice in as far as setting the prices of their produce is concerned.
“We want to bring our maize farmers together through registered cooperative unions so that they can participate in value addition and maximize returns on their produce,” she noted.
Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago is expected to preside over the groundbreaking for the plant later in December this year.
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