The Lake Basin Development Authority(LBDA) is set to operationalise a new modern rice milling machine at its site in the Kibos area in Kisumu to boost rice production.
The new mill has a capacity of 4 tons per hour, fully pneumatic compared to the old mill which was fully mechanical, with an installation capacity of 3.5 tons per hour that had reduced to an average of 0.87 tons per hour at the time of replacement.
According to the Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Regional Development Peninah Malonza, President William Ruto will commission the mill.
Malonza said this will spur economic growth in the region, especially in rice farming.
She noted that the new rice mill will greatly assist farmers from Nyando and Ahero irrigation schemes.
"The new mill with the milling rate of 4 tons per hour, milling three shifts in a day,5 days in a week (excluding weekends) for 12 months will mill 28,000 metric tons that would generate revenue," the CS said.
"The new machines are currently being fixed and it will be ready in less than one month with the President expected to commission it."
The CS further stated that the new mill will help prevent farmers from selling unmilled rice to brokers who end up exploiting them despite having put much effort into farming.
The CS was speaking in Kisumu in the company of LBDA Managing Director Wycliffe Ochiaga.
Malonza also added that the new mill helps LBDA generate more income and helps it in running its activities and operations.
Ochiaga on his part noted that the new mill will enhance efficiency and spur productivity, especially targeting rice farmers across the region.
The first machine at the mill was installed in the year 1996 with an installation capacity of 3.5 tons per hour which translates to 24,000 metric tons per annum.
The milling capacity had significantly reduced over the years to an average of 0.87 tons per hour due to continuous wear, and tear, ageing, lack of spare parts and outdated technology which rendered the machine very inefficient.
According to Ochiaga a proposal was made to the management for its replacement and subsequent approval by the Board of Directors and finally funding by the exchequer that led to the initiation of the procurement process.
Frejed Engineering Services was awarded the tender to undertake the said works.
The work started in November 2020.
After handing over of the site to the contractor, the installation process began with the civil works which entailed; destructive and non-destructive tests to determine the strength of the floor, excavation of bases, casting and water curing.
He added that the decommissioning of the old Mill was also carried out during the civil works to create space for the new mill.
"The structural works followed with the erection of main columns, fabrication and welding of I-beams and C-channels and general structural works for the platforms".
The machines were delivered in two batches, the 1st batch on 13th September 2021 and the second batch on 8th September 2022.
On September 23, 2022, a joint inspection was carried out as per contractual specifications and it was confirmed that all components plus accessories and auxiliaries were delivered except spare grinding stones for the whiteners.
However, the machines were lifted and placed on respective platforms ready for positioning and final fitting however delays in the installation process arising from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic were witnessed.