BY ANGELA R. KIURA
Over 10,000 farmers in Embu County are on the brink of a major economic transformation as construction of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Machanga, Mbeere South, hits 88% completion.
The Sh500 million project, a joint initiative between the national and county governments, is poised to become a game-changer for smallholder farmers by providing modern processing facilities and direct access to organized local and international markets.
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, who inspected the site alongside Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work on the ground.
“We are satisfied with the quality and pace of work. In the next few months, we should be able to hand over this project so that it can begin attracting investors and industries,” Kinyanjui told journalists.
He emphasized the importance of value addition in agricultural production, noting that processed products can fetch nearly five times more income compared to raw produce.
“We want to encourage farmers to embrace value addition so that they earn more. This facility will be equipped with modern machinery to support that goal,” he said.
Kinyanjui also reiterated the national government’s commitment to building an export-driven economy by creating value chains that meet global standards.
“Europe, China, and other markets are ready for our products, but we must first complete these aggregation centers and encourage farmers to scale up production,” he added.
Governor Mbarire affirmed that the facility will be ready for commissioning in the next two to three months. She praised the national government for disbursing Sh250 million to fast-track the remaining construction works.
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“We are grateful for the partnership. Investors are already expressing interest, and once operational, the park will open up enormous opportunities for our farmers,” she said.
Mbarire highlighted key agricultural products set to benefit from the facility, including avocado, mango, macadamia, and honey — commodities with growing demand both locally and internationally.
Boost to Local Economy
Once operational, CAIP is expected to centralize produce collection, improve quality control, and reduce post-harvest losses — all of which currently erode farmers’ profits. The facility will also provide cold storage, packaging, and processing equipment tailored to the region’s leading crops.
In addition to increasing farmer incomes, the park is set to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, stimulating economic activity in Embu and surrounding counties.
The CAIP initiative is part of a broader government agenda to industrialize agriculture, empower rural communities, and promote sustainable agribusiness across Kenya.
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