EU envoy to Kenya commends Makueni’s agricultural value addition programs

The European Union ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue on Wednesday made a day-long tour of Makueni where he was hosted by governor Kivutha Kibwana.

The two toured Makueni Fruit Processing Plant and witnessed the commencement of tomato pulping at the factory.

Mordue commended the county’s agricultural value chain addition programs and made a commitment to help Makueni secure the EU market for its products.

Governor Kibwana said his administration is investing more in value addition as a way of catalyzing the development of the rural economy. He said the Makueni fruit plant will soon commission a ready-to-drink packaging line to increase the value of its products.

The plant has previously been producing mango puree only and nearly shutting operations when the fruit runs out of season.

With tomatoes and the ready to drink juice production, the factory will now run continuously throughout the year, guaranteeing farmers a steady market and stable prices for their produce.