Sh600m milling plant deal sealed in Trans Nzoia

There is good news for maize farmers following a deal over Sh600 million milling plant by the county government and Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation.

Governor Patrick Khaemba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ICDC chairman, Martin Muragu for the project expected to boost value addition.

Khaemba said his administration intends to make maize farming a profitable venture by ending rampant exploitation.

"The signing of the business deal is a milestone towards ending exploitation by middlemen and helping farmers reap from their sweat through value addition," said Khaemba.

CREATE EMPLOYMENT

He said the venture will create job opportunities for locals and help spur other forms of economic development in the region.

He regretted that the region has very good weather yet agricultural activities were declining and high levels of unemployment; 58 per cent against national average of 40 per cent.

"My government is reaching out to business partners to invest and improve the economy of the area," he said.

The county chief disclosed that the level of food insecurity was 62 per cent while poverty level stood at over 50 per cent.

Muragu said Trans Nzoia is the first county the corporation had entered into a development agreement with since inception of devolved system.

He said ICDC will partner with Trans Nzoia to benefit the public.