Nairobi: Over 5,000 farmers cultivating sunflower, simsim, and nuts are poised to benefit from the launch of the first edible oil processing plant in Mpeketoni. This initiative aims to enhance their income by adding value during the processing of their harvests.

According to Kenya News Agency, the factory was established through a collaboration between the Lamu County Government and the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (AFA). The joint effort focuses on installing an edible oil processing machine designed to create agricultural value addition and open new opportunities by bolstering local production.

During the unveiling ceremony at Mpeketoni’s Agricultural Technology Development Centre, Lamu Chief Executive for Agriculture, James Gichu, highlighted the transformative impact the plant is expected to have. The machine will process sunflower, simsim, and peanuts through pressing, purification, packaging, and branding, thereby enabling farmers to add value to their produce.

Gichu emphasized the significant increase in processing capacity, stating, “With a capacity to process five tonnes per day, this innovation represents a huge leap forward from the previous 500 kg daily output that the farmers used to process manually before the introduction of the machine.” He encouraged farmers to seize the opportunity by planting more oil crops to maximize production and increase incomes.

Additionally, Gichu noted that producing affordable, locally made edible oil will alleviate the cost of living for Lamu residents, who have traditionally relied on imported oils. He expressed gratitude towards the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate for their support and praised the national government’s Bottom-Up approach to empowering farmers and transforming agriculture in the country.

Ann Gikonyo, a representative from the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (AFA), echoed these sentiments, highlighting the national government’s commitment to supporting farmers, enhancing agricultural value addition, reducing living costs, and advancing the country’s food security through such initiatives.