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Major boost for Kerio Valley fruit farmers
Mzee Francis Kiplagat in his mango farm in Kerio Valley.
Photo credit: Stanley Kimuge | Nation Media Group
What you need to know:
- Lack of steady market has discouraged farmers in the region from investing in the business.
- Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has constructed mango processing plant at Tot Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Despite the potential of Kerio Valley region to grow quality mangoes and passion fruits, production of highly profitable cash crops has been on decline over the past years with no export targeting the lucrative European market.
According to the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA), the region has potential to produce 25,000 tonnes of mangoes and 20,000 tonnes of passion fruits annually, but lack of steady market has discouraged farmers from investing in the business.
