The National Irrigation Authority, in collaboration with Kisumu County, has contracted Upland Crop Company, a private investor, to operationalize the newly installed rice mill in Ahero, Nyando Sub-County.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, and Fisheries, Ken Onyango speaking during the official signing of the lease agreement, noted that the strategic partnership would make the Ahero Rice Milling Plant commercially viable and economically beneficial to the region. "This partnership symbolizes a major step towards revitalizing rice processing in the region, creating jobs, boosting the local economy and empowering farmers with better market access and value addition opportunities," Onyango stated.
Upland Crop limited would operate and manage the rice mill as a private business venture injecting private sector capital for its profitability and financial sustainability.
The rice mill is designed to support farmers in Western Kenya's irrigation schemes by offering a competitive and profitable market for small- and medium-scale rice growers.
