Launch of Technology Training on Banana Value Addition in Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties
LAUNCH OF TECHNOLOGY TRAINING ON BANANA VALUE ADDITION IN THARAKA NITHI AND MERU COUNTIES.
By Emilly Owiti, April 21, 2023
The University of Nairobi-Women’s Economic Empowerment (UoN-WEE) Hub launched a technology training on banana value addition that will see women in Tharaka-Nithi and Meru counties increase their income from banana produce and products. The research Hub in partnership with the Kenya Industrial Estates, launched the training at Ntharene market in Meru County and Mbogori primary school in Tharaka-Nithi counties on April 19th and 20th.
Keega and Ntharene Market Self-Help Groups are the pilot groups to receive the training that shall benefit more than eighteen groups in the two counties. The training will ensure that no part of the banana product goes to waste “We shall make sure that each and every part of the banana is utilized” the Meru County Woman Representative Mrs. Kailema said as she launched the project. Currently, the annual income from the sale of bananas received by the women is estimated to be Kenya shillings six million, however, this figure can be tripled through value addition” she added. In agreement, the UoN WEE Hub Leader Prof. Wanjiku Kabira, supported that mechanization of agriculture and value addition would produce more yields and allow wider market access for the women. “The University of Nairobi is committed to this process because we know that when we mechanize agriculture and bring in value addition to the banana production, women’s incomes shall increase” she reiterated.
The women have perennially complained of low product prices in an industry that is dominated by brokers who buy the produce at low prices leading to losses by banana farmers and traders “Sometimes we get offers below the production cost and are forced to consume the products or sell at a loss” Chairperson of Keega Women Group said. The women demonstrated how brokers exploit them through well-delivered skits during the launch.
The training is part of the larger Women-focused Business Incubation (WBI) project, which is a three-year project initiated by the UoN WEE Hub in March 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of business incubation on women’s enterprises for replication and document best practices in the incubation program. The Hub conducted a baseline survey to establish the status of women’s businesses and shall monitor the indicators every six months of the project’s life cycle. Additionally, the women shall go through capacity development, access financial services and markets, and mentorship.
The launch was also attended by the WEE Hub Director of Research Dr. Mary Mbithi, former Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizen’s Affairs, and Special Programs, Prof. Margaret Kobia, area leaders, Women Enterprise Fund Regional Leader, National Government Affirmative Action Fund Chair and, Micro and Small Enterprise Authority representatives among other government entities. The government is keen on funding and growing businesses and the support through incubation shall go a long way in preparing women’s enterprises to access the funds. The WEE Hub advocates for policy development to support the growth of women’s enterprises.
Watch news stories broadcast by Citizen TV, NTV News, and NTV Adhuhuri, KTN News Centre.
Citizen TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo85fTptZkA
NTV News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30lqcwttbWU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNoPCocxJQ
KTN News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdcP0TAXWGU
More pictures on WEE Hub Photo Gallery