In Migori County, Kenya, sweet potato growers face challenges as the Getong'anya Sweet Potato plant remains closed. The factory, launched in early 2022 with an investment of approximately US$790,000, was designed to process over 100 tons of sweet potatoes daily. It aimed to create a reliable market for local farmers, enabling them to sell their substantial annual yields.
The facility was intended to enhance the value of sweet potatoes by producing items such as potato chips, crisps, potato flavor juices, and flours for making chapati and mandazi. However, the factory's closure has left farmers vulnerable to exploitation by intermediaries who purchase their crops at low prices due to a lack of a stable market. Buyers from Nairobi have been offering minimal compensation for a sack of potatoes amidst a production surplus in the region.
Joseph Marwa, a local farmer, noted, "The construction of the plant made farmers believe that the market will be there to last for their produce and many of the local people ventured into growing potatoes in vast plantations." He added, "But against our hope today, our dreams have vanished with the collapse of the factory. Instead, we are making huge losses from our sales."
A recent inspection by KNA revealed the factory's current state, a stark contrast to its vibrant launch three years ago by the then Devolution Cabinet Minister, Eugene Wamalwa. Currently, the factory faces financial and staffing challenges that hinder its operations.
Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko, during a State of the County address, indicated efforts to find a partner financier to manage the plant. He cited financial constraints and a lack of technical expertise as key operational hurdles. Local critics, however, attribute the factory's decline to mismanagement of funds and inadequate leadership.
Before its closure in 2024, the factory spurred a surge in sweet potato cultivation, with farmers expanding their operations in anticipation of increased earnings. According to agricultural field officer Martin Okello, the region's sweet potato production led to a revenue increase of over US$3.4 million from the previous financial year.
Migori County has become the second-largest producer of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) in Kenya, with 11,312 hectares under cultivation, trailing only Homa Bay County. The Getong'anya factory was intended to support this growth by adding value to the crop.
Source: Kenya News Agency