Authority grafts one million mango seedlings annually to boost West Pokot’s economy
KNA by Richard Muhambe and Anthony Melly
West Pokot County through the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has introduced high value mango seedlings production to be propagated within the region and supplied to other regions.
According to the KVDA strategic plan, the authority has the capability of generating 1,000,000 mango seedlings that take a short time to reach maturity once established in different ecological zones per year.
David Onyango, the Director of Planning at the KVDA, stated grafting of seedlings is one of the initiatives in which KVDA is actively involved in and is being implemented across the country.
He noted that the project has positively impacted many individuals in the region and that the seedlings are being distributed to various locations throughout the country.
“The project has helped the people of Turkana, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet in many ways because this project is like gold, it has money,” Onyango said.
He said local youths were engaged on a casual basis where they grafted 1,000 fruit seedlings each day and paid wages to supplement their incomes.
“One fruit seedling goes for Sh120 on our plots, but an additional fee is applied when sold outside the farm to cover transportation costs. The project has attracted customers from across the country, particularly farmers, schools, and various institutions,” he said.
Onyango said there is a pressing need for more individuals to embrace the technology by visiting the farm to acquire mango fruit seedlings, emphasizing that mangoes represent wealth and financial opportunity.
He said the KVDA has already established a mango juice processing factory at Tot in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, and urged all farmers to cultivate additional mango seedlings to ensure the factory has a steady supply of raw materials.
The director noted that annually, approximately 30,000 litres of juice is processed from the mango farms managed by KVDA, and the revenue generated from mango sales significantly benefits farmers, as KVDA purchases the mangoes directly from them, providing financial support that enables them to pursue other ventures.
He encourages West Pokot residents and neighbouring counties to visit the KVDA facilities to purchase fruit seedlings and observe the ongoing progress of the projects, highlighting the financial potential of the mango tree seedling initiative.
“We encourage farmers in the county to consider the Weiwei Irrigation Project, recognizing the potential it holds, and the efforts being made to ensure that youth, women and men alike can benefit from this initiative,” Onyango said.
He disclosed that the Weiwei Irrigation Project spans approximately 325 hectares, primarily designated for maize cultivation, with a segment dedicated to a mango seedling initiative.
The official affirmed that since residents of West Pokot County started utilizing the land for over 20 years, they have realised numerous benefits.
He said the project has helped to address the historical challenges which the residents faced including low school attendance and prevalent health issues.
Onyango noted that since the project's inception, residents have expressed increased happiness due to improved financial resources, allowing them to send their children to school, a notable enhancement compared to previous conditions.
He further said the residents are now able to provide adequate food for their families.
In addition to the mango initiative, Onyango said KVDA farm project focuses on other agriculture activities that aim at promoting food security through the cultivation of maize, sorghum, and various other crops.
He disclosed that the project has also contributed to a reduction in insecurity in the North Rift region.
The officer noted that previously, there were significant security challenges in the region, but the establishment of the Weiwei Irrigation Project has led many youths, who once engaged in banditry, to turn to farming, resulting in a more peaceful environment