Kisumu Governor signs shs 30B deal with UK Company to boost Agriculture

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong'o holds a document after signing a deal with a United Kingdom based Company to boost agriculture in parts of Kisumu County-Photo Courtesy

By Dickson Odhiambo

October 4, 2022

Kisumu Governor signs shs 30B deal with UK Company to boost Agriculture

THE County Government of Kisumu under its Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o has signed a deal with a United Kingdom based Company to boost agriculture in parts of Kisumu County.

 

 

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o has signed a milestone partnership between a UK investment group known as United Green and Kisumu County 42 Lake ventures Company, an investment entity wholly owned by the County Government of Kisumu.

 

Governor Nyong’o says this US$250 Million (Ksh 30 Billion) agriculture and food security investment programme will revolutionise food production and general Agriculture in the entire Lake region.

 

 Nyong’o says the resultant partnership will deliver agri-fin-tech services for rural communities, high productivity climate-smart farming and state-of-the-art agro-industrial facilities, creating new markets for farmers in the Lake Victoria basin region over the next five years.

 

“The venture will reduce Kenya’s dependence on importing food commodities by approximately US$200 million (About Ksh 24 billion) annually, thus reducing Kenya’s trade deficit,” Nyong’o says.

 

He says an array of high value crops will generate foreign exchange with focus on servicing local consumer and industry demand with consumer value addition done within Kenya; this includes adding that at least 100,000 tonnes (16% of local demand) of locally produced rice products.

 

He adds that at least 100,000 bales (160% of current local production) equivalent of cotton products to support the Kenyan textile industry, edible oil such as sunflower, soybean, Cotton seed and maize by-products to support the livestock sector.

 

“This project has come at the most opportune time because Kenya needs a champion organisation to provide leadership and prudent investment, to develop inclusive, scalable, market-based, environmentally sustainable and high productivity agri-food systems,” Nyong’o says.

 

He says the project has incredible alignment to the County Government of Kisumu’s strategy and with the national Government's Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019-2029, adding that they will significantly contribute to all nine ASTGS Flagships.

 

“We are excited because this project resonates with my Manifesto for the revitalization of  Agriculture in the next Five years. In my manifesto, I am committed  in putting  more land under production in Nyando, Kisumu East, Muhoroni, Nyakach, Kisumu West and Seme Sub-Counties.I have also committed  to revamp rice production, invest in horticulture and floriculture in Nyamthoe, Mboha valley and kano plains,” Nyong’o further says.

 

The Kisumu Governor further says the project will also help is accelerate growth in other agricultural sub sector, including revival of  cotton industry, dairy and fish production, adding that they grateful for  United  Green for accepting to partner with us.

 

United Green Chief Investment Officer, Albrecht Frischenschlager says they are proud to have found such committed foundation partners in KC42LVC and CGK and identified potential additional partnerships with local DFI’s and look forward to building a national champion business in the sector together.

 

“This investment would not have been possible without the market orientation, business process guidance and support from: The UK Government, in particular the invaluable support from the British High Commission Kenya, Agricultural Transformation Office (ATO) and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Kenya.,” he says.

 

United Kingdom Department of International Trade Director, Alexander Milne says the UK Government applauds the strong commitment and close collaboration shown by British Company United Green, and Kisumu County.

 

 “In this truly transformative investment in Kenya’s agriculture sector. We are proud to support and are confident of the expected positive outcomes that could be extended to other regions in Kenya, including Job Creation, improved crop production for the out-grower community and enhanced livelihoods,” he says.