Citrus farmers in semi arid areas of Machakos county could soon be swimming in money should plans by a Greece-based juice manufacturing company to establish a factory in Yatta succeed.
The company, Biofresh Cosmos through Exports Manager Spyros Nikolaidis said Kenya could soon be its first ever operations base in Eastern Africa in their citrus fruit juice processing operations.
Nikolaidis toured dozens of orange farms along the Yatta Canal, accompanied by Kithimani Member of County Assembly Sammy Nduva and veteran climate expert Lemi Muia to explore the region’s potential in production of the fruit.
“The idea is to set up a factory based on small holder model where farmers are mobilised to cultivate their produce while assured of a ready market on site," said Nikolaidis.
Also present was Alpha Business Company Managing Director Bernard Gitonga who noted that the venture would create hundreds of jobs to locals.
The program also targets farmers within the catchment of Masinga Dam as well as those living along River Athi in Mwala Sub-county.