Residents from the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) have been urged to embark on serious fresh produce farming for export through Kisumu International Airport.
Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o said residents from the 14 member counties should invest more in farming for the sustainability of the fresh produce market.
Nyong’o, who spoke during the launch of cargo division at the airport on Saturday, said the region is destined for a boom in business.
Kakamega governor and Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) chairman Wycliffe Oparanya, Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director Alex Gitari, Kenya Airways CEO, Allan Kivaluka and Lake Front development Corporation Chairman, FCPA Edward Ouko were present.
Others included Kenya Flower Council Chief executive officer Clement Teluzi and Kenya Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya CEO Hosea Machuki.
He said farmers and fishermen in Kisumu and the lake region were set to benefit immensely through the new development.
Nyong’o said farmers need to venture into value addition and fish processing to tap into existing markets locally and internationally.
The bloc was formed in 2018 to spur economic development. Member counties are Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Bomet, Kakamega, Siaya, Busia, Homa Bay, Kisii, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kericho and Nyamira.
Nyong’o noted that the launch of the cargo division at the airport has opened various opportunities and put the bloc on the international trade map.
He said the vast lake lying idle is unexploited, noting that they can revive fish processing factories that were shut many years ago over issues that can be resolved.
Nyong’o said there are vast land for the production of a variety of horticultural crops in the LREB catchment- from Busia through Kakamega to Bungoma to Nyamira and Migori.
“We have goodwill from our partners. Let us get down to work. We are already seeing it in action,” he said.
Nyong’o said they are still committed to leveraging the economies of scale for better…