Small-scale pyrethrum farmers in the country have a reason to smile after the US government committed Sh1.6B ($12 million) towards reviving the sector.
The country will also pump an extra $10 million towards constructing a modern pyrethrum processing plant in Naivasha.
This emerged during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kentegra processing plant in Naivasha with projections that it will support over 90,000 small-scale farmers.
Ambassador Meg Whitman said the US government was keen to revive the sector, which collapsed in the 90s.
“This plant once complete will serve over 90,000 small-scale farmers and this is part of the US-Kenya trade partnership,” she said.
Whitman lauded the government's initiative towards supporting investors.
She promised her government’s continued trade support and said she would rally ten other counties to join in the growing pyrethrum in the country.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika said the processing plant would greatly benefit hundreds of small-scale farmers involved in pyrethrum growing.
She said that the county plans to increase land under pyrethrum farming from the current 7,000 acres to 10,000 acres in the next couple of years.
Kihika singled out diseases; rising cost of production and inadequate seedlings as some of the challenges facing the sector and pledged that her government would strive to address this.
“In the 90s Kenya accounted for 80 percent of pyrethrum exported but this has reduced to five percent and we need to address this,” she said.
Her Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Wesley Rotich called on Kentegra Company to address the high demand for pyrethrum seedlings in the county.
“Pyrethrum farming is now the cheapest crop to grow and it has transformed the lives of many families and we shall fully support it,” he said.
Kentegra CEO Brian Mckenzie said that a survey they conducted proved that pyrethrum farming had impacted positively on the lives of many families.
“Once this plant is complete, it will create employment for tens of people and offer a ready market for their produce,” he promised.
NewVasha EPZ boss who is also the chairman of the special economic zone, Igals Elfezouaty said the plant would have a major impact on area residents.
“Kentegra becomes the first company to invest in the new Naivasha EPZ and this will help address the issue of unemployment and break the cycle of unemployment,” he said.