Pack House Initiative to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses in Elgeiyo Marakwet County
Andrew Kimetto
Post-harvest losses in Elgeiyo Marakwet County are set to decline with the establishment of a new pack house in the Kapchemutwa and Kamariny areas, a joint initiative by Farm Africa and the county government.
The pack house, designed to help farmers store their produce before it reaches the market, is equipped with refrigerators capable of holding 15 to 20 tonnes of produce per week.
This will provide much-needed storage space for farmers, ensuring that their crops do not go to waste, especially during periods of surplus or when market access is limited.
Governor Wesley Rotich emphasized the importance of the pack house in improving the lives of local farmers. “Exporters don’t visit Elgeiyo Marakwet because we lack storage facilities. This pack house can store produce worth up to Ksh 2 million. Now I am asking the residents of Kobabelyo and Kiptabus, how much do you make per week? Can it reach Ksh 100,000? Now we have an opportunity to store 10-20 tonnes of our produce at once,” said Governor Rotich.
Agriculture CEC Edwin Kibor and County Commissioner John Korir encouraged farmers to take advantage of the new facility by planting crops that mature quickly.
With the pack house in place, farmers now have a reliable storage option, ensuring that their produce is kept fresh and reducing spoilage.
The pack house is expected to significantly boost the region’s agricultural economy. It will not only reduce post-harvest losses but also improve market access for farmers.
