BUNYALA RICE FARMERS WELCOME US INVESTORS

Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme farmers in Busia County have welcomed United States Investors saying they will change their  fortunes for the better. 

The investors including Indigo Global Development, the funders of the project, and Indigenous Go Africa Limited toured the rich rice growing region on Wednesday where they pledged to turn the fortunes of the ailing rice sub sector. 

Briefing the press after a meeting with investors and farmers at Magombe  rice scheme, chairman irrigation, water and users association, William Juma said the peaceful and realistic interaction with the investors will provide a solution to numerous challenges rice farmers had to undergo. 

” Mechanization to value chain support in rice growing sub sector will be a boost to farmers who will earn more than what they earn today,” he said. 

He added:” This will revolutionalize the irrigation and rice growing in the area. We appreciate the efforts put up by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Busia Chapter and the County Government of Busia in wooing investors to the County.” 

With the ongoing works of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Scheme, area under rice production will reach 10,000 acres from the current 3000. This will boost rice production in the county. 

Nathalie Brunet from Indigo Global Development told the farmers that a  milling plant for  rice farmers in the county is their top priority to enable farmers process their rice ready for sale instead of exporting unprocessed rice to benefit other areas including neighbouring Uganda at their expense. 

“Our objective is to invest in sustainable projects in the county and to link farmers to foreign markets for their horticultural produce including rice, avacado, mangoes, macadamia and coffee,” she said. 

 The visiting delegation later toured the Lower Nzoia intake in Siaya and the cannals. They also visited the rice scheme in Bunyala and the scenery around Lake Victoria before meeting rice farmers.