Chinese miller to benefit maize farmers

Plant is to operate in partnership with a Kenyan county and is expected to pay fairer prices

Farmers are expected to get a fairer price for their grain now that Bungoma county government, in partnership with a Chinese firm, Sino Kenya Engineering Co Ltd, is constructing a maize milling plant at Tongaren in the northern part of the county.

Bungoma is among Kenya's main maize producing regions, commonly referred to, along with neighboring Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties, as the country's granary.

Maize production costs at times exceed the price received by farmers, says Ken Lusaka, governor of Bungoma county. Construction of a milling plant at the county's hub of maize farming in Tongaren will boost the price for maize producers, he says.

"The $1.5 million project will be a relief to farmers who are perennially exploited by middlemen who buy their maize at low prices for resale at inflated prices," says Lusaka, adding that the miller will open centers across the county, where it will buy maize at reasonable prices.

The maize flour will be Bungoma county branded and sold locally, with the surplus finding its way to the international market.

Local political leader Kalasinga Majimbo calls the Chinese firm's collaboration with the county a blessing, because of the many benefits that the partnership should bring. "Beyond creating the ever elusive opportunity for employment, the people of Bungoma will enjoy the corporate social responsibilities by the miller," he says.

For China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 11/27/2015 page3)