Three farmer cooperatives in Taita Taveta County have received Sh29.9 million to strengthen dairy and banana value chains, cut post-harvest losses and help farmers earn better prices for their produce.
The grants, disbursed under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), will support processing, packaging, market access and other investments aimed at moving farmers away from selling raw produce.
Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, while handing over the grants, urged farmers to join cooperatives to pool resources and invest in value addition.
“When each farmer joins a cooperative society, you’re putting together resources to ensure that your produce isn’t going to leave in raw form but as finished products that fetch the maximum prices whether sold locally or across the country’s borders,” said Mwadime.
Tagho Dairy Cooperative received the largest share of Sh14.9 million, which will finance pasteurisation, processing and packaging facilities.
The cooperative’s chairperson, Job Mwakesi, said the investment would help members avoid losses associated with selling raw milk, particularly when supply exceeds demand.
“We’re looking to establish an entire milk chain of pasteurizing, processing, and packaging so that we no longer have to sell raw or at throw away prices from the fear of our milk going bad,” said Mwakesi.
Taita Taveta Banana (TATABA) FCS Limited received KSh8.6 million to support banana production and solarise its Voi banana ripening chambers.
Its chairperson, Ndelejai Msangi, said high electricity costs and inadequate ripening facilities had contributed to significant post-harvest losses.
The third beneficiary, Mwafugha Dairy FCS Limited in Wumingu/Kishushe, received Sh5.81 million for milk aggregation and Artificial Insemination (AI) services.
The cooperative said the interventions would address challenges that have affected operations and contributed to low returns for dairy farmers.
NAVCDP County Project Coordinator, Andrew Mbinga, urged farmers across the county to join ward-based cooperatives, saying collective marketing would strengthen their bargaining power and ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce.
The county government said the investments are also aligned with national efforts to boost grassroots economic productivity, increase household incomes and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people and other vulnerable groups.
By Arnold Linga Masila
