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Plans are underway to resume the exportation of fresh produce through Eldoret international airport to regional and international markets.
This was announced at a planning meeting attended by representatives of the
eight counties under the North Rift Economic Block (NOREB), Kenya Ports
Authority, Eldoret International Airport, and the Fresh Produce Consortium.
Though promising, horticulture production has received little attention in the past in the North rift region whose agriculture production efforts have been mainly targeted at production of cereals.
Fresh Produce Consortium Chief Executive Officer Okisegere Ojepat said that the industry is committed to ensure exportation of fresh produce from the North Rift based airport resumes as early as March 2021.
The CEO further pointed out that stakeholders were targeting to start exporting to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a region that already has two scheduled weekly flights to Eldoret Airport that unfortunately returns empty.
“We want to ensure when the planes go back, they are loaded with
flowers, fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs from the region,” he added.
Dr Biwott appreciated the existing facilities available through the Kenya Ports Authority and the airport which he observed needed to be activated. He consequently called on the concerned body to start the renovation of the existing infrastructure to ensure that they are ready for use when the planned export of fresh produce commences in March.
In his remarks, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, emphasized that time was ripe for North Rift to make use of the Eldoret airport to connect local farmers to the insatiable foreign horticultural markets.
“We already have a 230-metric ton cold storage facility at the airport
while KEPHIS and HCDA have their port offices at the airport precincts. I see
no reason why the airport should not be cleared for horticultural export,"
said Chemno
