A plant with the capacity to process over 40,000 tonnes of mangoes and passion fruits annually to be constructed in North Rift. [Photo|softkenya.com]

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Farmers in the North Rift have welcomed plans to set up a mango processing plant in the area.

Kerio Valley Development Authority has rolled out plans to construct Sh70 million plant which is expected to begin this month.

The move has seen many farmers in Kerio Valley shift from livestock keeping to horticulture farming.

KVDA Managing Director David Kimosop said the plant will have a capacity to process over 40,000 tonnes of mangoes and passion fruits annually.

"Seed multiplication is on to increase mango trees from 60,000 to over a million in the next few months. We are also training farmers on modern horticultural production techniques," he told the Nation on Monday.

Kimosop said the construction of the plant, which will be located at Tot in Elgeyo Marakwet County, has the support of the government and other development partners.

He said the completion of construction of dams in Arror, Kimwarer and Embobut Rivers will boost farming in the North Rift.

"Farmers need to invest in horticultural production to benefit from plans by the government to start irrigation projects," Kimosop said.

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