Chuka University vice-chancellor Erastus Njoka has encouraged counties to adopt agribusiness industries in Tharaka Nithi to uplift the livelihood of residents.
Njoka urged investors to put money into devolved units as they have a huge of potential.
Addressing a group of residents at the chief’s office in Rubate sub-location, the don said it was important to construct avocados and macadamia processing industries for export and to create employment.
He said avocado and macadamia business is a source of wealth to many people in the world.
“We would like people to invest in mashinani to boost their livelihood through the creation of employment in the industries,” he said.
He said they are planning on constructing another constituent college of Chuka University in the county to boost development in the region.
“We need a university in this sub-location to uplift the lives of the people,” he said.
Njoka said Tharaka Nithi should aim at having local industries which will facilitate the export and import of goods.
He said the county is doing well in banana, coffee and tea farming and encouraged farmers to explore other varieties of crops and fruits such as apples.
“We have a very good climate that can favour the growth of different varieties of foods, we should take advantage of it and diversify our farm produce,” he said
The don said Tharaka Nithi is endowed with 12 permanent rivers which makes the county favourable for irrigated agriculture.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris