Busia County is encouraging farmers to increase cassava and edible oil crop production as it prepares for the operationalisation of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) at Nasewa.
The county government says the move will help create a reliable supply of raw materials for industries expected to operate at the park.
Presenting the Department of Smart Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Blue Economy and Agribusiness Annual Development Plan (ADP) before the County Assembly’s Budget and Appropriation Committee, Chief Officer Elijah Mwaro said farmers are being sensitised on the opportunities presented by cassava and edible oil crop farming.
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County partners with KALRO on cassava
Mwaro said the county is working with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to identify and distribute high-yielding and disease-resistant cassava varieties to farmers.
The initiative is intended to improve cassava production while ensuring farmers have access to varieties suitable for commercial production.
The county is also working with the national government to reclaim parts of the Yala Swamp in Bunyala South Ward, creating more land that can be used for cassava cultivation.
“The county is working on reclaiming parts of the Yala Swamp in Bunyala South Ward to create additional land for cassava cultivation,” he said.
According to Mwaro, the additional farmland will support the county’s plans to increase cassava production as demand for raw materials grows.
Simba Chai cassava factory
Busia is also finalising the operationalisation of a cassava processing factory at Simba Chai.
The facility is expected to complement the main CAIP at Nasewa by providing additional capacity for processing cassava and supporting the wider value chain.
The county government says linking farmers to processing facilities will help create a market for their produce while supplying industries with locally produced raw materials.
Mwaro also called on the County Assembly to expedite the enactment of the Mechanisation Bill and Livestock Saleyard Bill, which are currently before the House.
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He said the legislation would strengthen the department’s ability to carry out its mandate in agriculture and livestock development.
On livestock development, Chief Officer Mercy Imo told the committee that the Mudembi Poultry Park has been revived through the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KeLCoP).
Plans are also underway to rehabilitate other poultry parks across the county, she said.
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