Rice farmers in parts of Usonga, Siaya County, are set for better days following the launch of a Sh60 million milling plant that is expected to boost their earnings from the crop.
Area governor James Orengo, last week launched the Siriwo Rice Milling Plant in Usonga after the county assembly approved it.
The area is suitable for rice farming due to the presence of River Nzoia and Lake Kanyabilo.
Residents have not been making much from rice farming despite the huge potential of the crop due to the lack of a processing plant. They have been forced to sell the produce, cheaply as paddy, to middlemen who process and re-sell at high prices. Most of the middlemen are from Uganda.
However, it is just a matter of time before this experience changes for the better as the plant is set to boost earnings from rice for farmers.
Mr Orengo said the plant is part of his administration's efforts to make the county food secure and improve returns for growers.
He said 'Usonga Rice' brand will be the first in the region. "This will be a plus to the people as it will translate into improved livelihoods," the governor said.
The governor added: "The project will be a game changer in rice production and our efforts to ensure food security in our region. That is why I am calling on residents to up their game and increase rice production to sustain the milling plant once it starts its operations."
"We are leveraging on agriculture's potential to make our county food secure and make the crop commercially viable."
At the moment, farmers sell unprocessed rice to brokers at Sh55 per kilogram.
"I will be very proud to see rice labelled 'Usonga Rice'. Siaya County is known for greatness, and we must do our best in this regard because that is who we are," Orengo said during a meeting in Nyadorera.
Orengo said they are keen on mechanising agriculture. "We also want to take charge of the processing chain, from growing, processing and distribution."
The construction works will involve fencing of Mulwa Rice drying floor at the cost of Sh3.4 million and equipment that will cost Sh31 million.
Construction of the building that will house the mill will cost Sh14.75 million. Another Sh5 million will be used to construct a drainage system.
Agriculture and Irrigation executive Sylvester K'Okoth noted that the acreage currently under rice production in the county (1,314 acres) is not enough to sustain the processing plant and called for more residents to start growing the crop.
"I am calling on residents of Siaya to help us increase the land under rice farming to at least 3,078 acres to serve the factory, which will have the potential of processing 8,000 metric tons of the crop every year," said K'Okoth.
The Siriwo Rice Milling Plant will mostly rely on the Usonga Rice Cooperative Society for the supply of fresh produce.
Usonga MCA Sylvester Madialo said: "This project is expected to change the lives of residents of Siaya in the long term. It will help us reduce the overreliance of our people on the government for support. It will also cut the losses we incur buy selling unprocessed rice."
