Kisumu to build cold rooms at airport to boost fresh produce trade

Kisumu County government will set up cold rooms and storage facilities at the Kisumu International Airport to boost fresh produce trade in the region.

Governor Prof Anyang' Nyong'o said the project will enhance the capacity of the airport as a direct gateway for fresh produce to the global market.

He said the project was to be implemented in collaboration with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and will also reduce the post-harvest losses.

Nyong'o when he hosted a delegation from the Fresh Products Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEK), Fresh Produce Farmers, trade experts and the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB).

He said that the cold room and storage facilities will help maintain the quality of products passing through the airport to regional and international markets.

"This will help in addressing a critical back door in the fresh produce export value chain in the region by ensuring that fresh farm produce maintains its quality during transit to regional and internal markets," said Nyong'o.

Nyong'o added that the move is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities for farmers and traders within the Lake Region Economic Block by enabling them to directly access international markets with fresh, high-quality produce.

During the engagement meeting at the governor's office, the stakeholders proposed that the County Government of Kisumu help in establishing mass seedling farms across Kisumu, promote modern fruit grafting technologies and encourage downscaling from synthetic fertilisers to organic alternatives in support of sustainable agriculture in the county.

The designation was led by Fresh Products Exporters Association of Kenya CEO Hosea Machuki and his Lake Region Economic Block counterpart Victor Nyagaya.