By Esitika Isaac
Kisumu Governor, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o today hosted a crucial meeting with a delegation from the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) and the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) led by CEOs Mr. Hosea Machuki and Mr. Victor Nyagaya who paid him a courtesy call.
The stakeholders meeting held at the Governor’s office in Kisumu focused on strategies to significantly boost the region’s agricultural export capacity and modernizing farm practices.
The meeting also comprised of various groups, including fresh produce farmers, trade export agencies, and county government officials.
A key outcome of the meeting was Governor Nyong’o’s commitment with the help of Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to facilitate the establishment of a vital cold storage facility for exports at Kisumu International Airport (KIA).
This development is seen as a gamechanger for the region and will help in addressing a critical backdown in the fresh produce export value chain by ensuring fresh farm produce maintain their quality during transit to regional international, European and China markets.
The comprehensive agenda tackled during the session highlighted a concerted effort to empower farmers and streamline the export process along the value chain.
Specific plans were laid out to enhance the capacity of Kisumu International Airport as a direct gateway for fresh produce to global markets.
The commitment to set up a cold room and storage facilities in Kisumu International Airport will align with broader efforts to transform the airport into a regional and international cargo hub.
This move is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities for farmers and traders within the Lake Region Economic Bloc, which will enable them to directly access international markets with fresh, high-quality produce.
The stakeholders proposed that County Government of Kisumu help in establishing mass seedling farms across Kisumu, promote modern fruit grafting technologies, and encourage a downscaling from synthetic fertilizers to organic alternatives in support of sustainable agriculture in the county.
The team is currently in Kisumu for a fresh produce stakeholder forum at Sarova Imperial Hotel. They are looking to leverage the region’s agricultural potential in fostering economic growth and improving the livelihoods of its farming communities through modern practices and enhanced export capabilities.
