Construction of potato cold storage facility at the Madaraka region -Ngushishi Timau Buuri sub-county, Meru county- by the National Micro and small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) nears completion.
According to Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina, the facility which is aimed at ending post-harvest losses of potatoes in the area and boost production is 70% complete.
Meru facility which is being constructed at a cost of Sh 100million will be ready by next month. The facility will have capacity of 300 pallets of packed potatoes. The purpose is to safeguard against post-harvest losses around Timau and ensure produce do not go to waste.
Boost production
The facility forms phase one of project implementation where phase two will involve value addition. The facility will also open up the region to processing through provision of high quality varieties that will boost production.
“Timau cold store is anticipated that it will be available mostly to potato farmers because that is the product mostly produced here in large quantities. It has capacity to increase the shelf-life of products by up to 8 months. This will ensure farmers have a very sure market for their produce,” said Betty Maina.
She added that the government after the cold storage facility is complete, the government will then construct a potato processing industry in the area so as to add value to the crop. The National government is constructing a similar facility in Nyandarua for potatoes and in Kisii for bananas.
