The Departmental Committee on Regional Development has committed to backing the growth of the Coast Development Authority (CDA) Integrated Fruit Processing Plant located in Tana River County, aiming to mitigate post-harvest losses. The committee, under the leadership of Kabuchai representative Majimbo Kalasinga, highlighted the plant's role in enhancing the livelihood of mango farmers by processing over 1,200 tons of mangoes annually. The initiative is part of the government's strategy to improve farmers' income through value addition. The expansion of the plant is deemed necessary to meet the demand, with Tana River being a key mango-producing area in Kenya.
During a visit to the facility, Kalasinga advocated for an increase in the plant's production capacity. Additionally, he called on CDA to provide fair prices to farmers, thereby reducing their reliance on middlemen. Magarini MP Mwalimu Kombe, also present during the tour, expressed satisfaction with the plant's progress and encouraged local farmers to increase mango production. CDA Managing Director Mohamed Keinan emphasized the factory's role in protecting farmers in Tana River, Garissa, Lamu, and Kilifi counties from post-harvest losses. Deye Salim, from the Galole Mango Farmers' Cooperative Society, confirmed their ongoing support to the plant, citing the need for further improvements to fully benefit the mango producers in the region.
Source: kbc.co.ke