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Project seeks to boost palm oil output (04/03/07) |
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A project to produce palm oil in the country could save billions of shillings spent on importation of the product. It is estimated that Kenya spent Sh16 billion on the importation of 225,000 tonnes last year. |
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However, there is a ray of hope, with the Government, having begun to promote the cultivation of oil palm in most parts of Western Kenya.
Currently over 40,000 seedlings of the crop have been planted on small farms, extending to sugarcane growing areas like Butere, Mumias, Busia and Bungoma. Others are Kakamega, Siaya and Eldoret, said a senior officer from Agricultural ministry Dr Wilson Songa. |
The move, said Dr Songa, would save the country up to Sh16 billion spent annually to import palm oil. The World Bank is also funding a pilot edible oil project under the Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project. Speaking at Kakamega's Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) provincial offices on the commercialization of the palm oil crop Songa said the crop could check high poverty levels in the region and improve on the people lifestyles.
Western provincial director of agriculture, Philip Makheti, urged the residents to embrace oil palm farming, and not worry about the market, as the Government would do everything possible to commercialize the crop on their behalf.
Source: All Africa
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