Members of the Taita Taveta Banana (TATABA) Cooperative Society have called upon the county government to prioritize partnership with the national government through the Taita Taveta University, Ngerenyi Campus in the local production of cultured banana seedlings.
Speaking during a meeting between a section of the cooperative’s leadership and Governor Andrew Mwadime, TATABA chairperson, Costa Malai, decried the hefty transport expenses the farmers incur sourcing the cultured seedlings from Kenyatta University.
“Our members and farmers are bearing a heavy burden of transport cost of the cultured banana seedlings sourced from Kenyatta University,” said Malai.
In his arguments for local production of the seedlings, Malai said the move will not only ease the financial burden on farmers but will also increase green farming and cement the position of Taita Taveta County as a leading banana producer in the country as well as create job opportunities for the locals.
Governor Mwadime assured the members that his administration is focused on creating a thriving environment for agricultural production and bananas were an area a lot of positive engagement is already underway.
Source: kenyanews.go.ke