By MN Reporter

An international NGO in conjunction with Migori county government have launched a project to help farmers in value addition of their produce.

County will work closely with One village, One product programme [OVOP] and the Japanese International cooperation Agency (JICA) to rally residents towards the use of locally available resource with the aim of empowering the community.

The programmed dubbed “ZAO MOJA KIJIJINI” is aimed at engaging the communities on how they can use the locally available resources to achieve maximum output from them.

Addressing stakeholders and participants during a day workshop at Grabo hotel in Migori county deputy Governor Nelson Mahanga Mwita pledged to give the progrmamme full support.

He said the county government is ready to work with all stakeholders and Migori community to rip the best from the project.

Mahanga said the county government is ready to source the market for the products which shall be produced under this progrmamme.He urged different communities in Migori County to work closely and produce different products in large quantity so that the transportation cost becomes cheaper.

The deputy Governor said that the products produced in the county lack value additions like proper packaging hence cost low in local markets.

He urged all communities to modify the local products like honey, bananas; soya so that they can meet the market standard.

Mahanga urged the youths to use the opportunity so as to improve their living standards

According to the JICA expert advisor Kiyonori Matsushima the agency will help market and value addition to the locally produced products in the county and will target seven countiesof Migori, Siaya, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Embu, Kakamega and Taita Taveta to help boost and empower the local farmers and traders in the counties involved.

He said Migori has a lot of products like bananas, soya beans which can be of benefit to the county in case used properly.