•Trademark Africa donated the plants through funding from the Global Affairs Canada.
•Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh said farmers should now seize the opportunity to enhance food productivity.
Image: HANDOUT
It's new era in Western following the launch of a mycotoxin decontamination plant on Thursday.
The facility, launched by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh, aims to eliminate contamination in grains, a crucial step in enhancing the country's food security programme.
Explaining the significance of the ozone-based post-harvest industrial plant, he said the plant has the potential to eliminate at least 95 per cent of aflatoxin contamination in grains, pulses, nuts and other food commodities.
"This industrial plant solution will eliminate 95 per cent of aflatoxin contamination in grains, pulses, nuts and other food commodities, highly boosting the country's food security programme," Ronoh said.
The mycotoxin decontamination plants donated by Trademark Africa cooperation, through funding from the Global Affairs Canada, have been installed at the National Cereals and Produce Board warehouses in Bungoma and Nairobi counties.
The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the organisation and support from GAC, is spearheading an integrated solution to mycotoxin management.
"The collaboration between TradeMark Africa and the ministry is a pivotal step towards sustainable agricultural practices benefitting both farmers and consumers alike," he said.
Ronoh said each plant can process a minimum of 10 tonnes per day in terms of processing capacity, with a primary focus on grains affected by mycotoxin.
As the agricultural landscape gears up for the upcoming cropping season, he unveiled plans to enhance the fertiliser subsidy programme, encouraging farmers to capitalise on the opportunity.
"Farmers should explore this opportunity on their farm produce because a total of 182,880 bags of fertiliser will be allocated to the county," he said.
The government's initiative is to increase the number of transporters to 1,000 in the next two months to ensure there timely distribution of fertiliser.
"We want the fertiliser to reach farmers on time during the cropping season, that is why we will increase the transporters for fertiliser to be distributed efficiently," Ronoh said.
Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany echoed the PS's statement, citing last year's success where farmers cultivated 101,460 hectares of maize, bringing the yield to 3,481,000 bags of 90kg.
"This is a clear indication that we are bolstering food safety and security programmes for a great future, and with this mycotoxin plant, the next production will be even higher," she said.
Deputy Government spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga who attended the event urged farmers to make the most of government opportunities to enhance food productivity.
"There are many opportunities that can be created through food productivity. Job creation, health and nutrition opportunities, as well as food security, are at stake; therefore, let us embrace these programmes from the government," she said.
Pan Africa Regional Development executive director Marcia Colquhuom expressed confidence in the mycotoxin decontamination plants, assuring the ministry they would pave the way for agricultural prosperity and significantly boost food security in the country.