Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has assured farmers that his government is committed to supporting production and manufacturing processes to increase the value of their primary agricultural commodities.
Speaking during a farmers training expo at Itugururu Agricultural Institute, the Governor announced plans to embrace agri-business in the county, stating that such trade fairs and farmer training will boost agriculture and equip farmers with the necessary skills to enhance production.
“We have plans to expand agri-business in the county, where we will focus on proper value addition for our products. We aim to train, sensitize, and equip farmers with relevant skills and machinery,” he said.
During the expo, which attracted farmers from the three constituencies in the county, Governor Njuki noted that the county government had achieved over 50,000 successful artificial insemination procedures, resulting in an increase in milk production from 25 million liters per year to 47 million liters.
Additionally, 25 milk coolants have been built, with plans underway to construct a milk processing plant in the county.
Governor Njuki also committed to improving coffee factory infrastructure and all tea buying centers by 2027, as well as launching a value addition program for ndengu.
During the training expo, the Itugururu Agricultural Institute Board was inaugurated, where the facility, which is situated on 15 acres of land, is expected to offer training and capacity building for farmers.
“I want to thank Governor Njuki for establishing the institute since we were the only county in the region without such a facility. We passed the budget despite strong opposition from critics and enemies of development. Now it is here with us and complete,” said Speaker John Mbabu.
Mugwe MCA Jacob Ndeke Kiriko, who also serves as the Chairman for Agriculture in the county assembly, urged the youth to embrace farming as a means of economic development.
The agricultural training institute will now be headed by Obadiah Murithi Munene as Principal where part of the institution board was unveiled in the function.
