The much hyped proposed banana factory for Kisii county farmers will start operations in due course. Phase one of the plant’s machinery was installed with the contractor describing the work as 100%. A contractor, Eng. Joshua Obino explained the solar driers had the capacity to do 30 metric tones of raw banana per day with the dry ones taking between 8 to 10 tonnes. The machines included hybrid solar dryers that will maintain the quality of bananas under the operations of an investor who will purchase the produce, ferry and process it.
Inspecting the installation, county ‘’minister’’ for Agriculture docket, Esman Onsarigo disclosed the machinery worth sh. 35 million had been procured jointly with European Union and the county government. Onsarigo apologized to the banana farmers saying the delay in starting the factory was caused by Covid-19 spike. Over 200 banana growing farmers will benefit after the factory’s operations are inaugurated soon. Initially a total of 360 metric tones of banana production was expected from the farmers but should a deficit be experienced, those from neighboring counties will be asked to deliver theirs.