Chinese Investors Offer Machines, Technology for Arid, Semi-Arid Farmers

Posted on :Wednesday , 23rd December 2015

A Chinese delegation is in Nairobi to scout for agricultural investments in arid and semi-arid areas and promote technology uptake for higher yields.

The 45 investors with interests in farm machinery, technology and specialised skills transfer have visited Naivasha flower and wheat farms.

The team also visited the Masai Mara National Reserve and held discussions with county executives in Nairobi on Thursday.

"We have identified Kilifi, Malindi, Kitui and Machakos for arid farming projects. We will apply Chinese policies that are favourable in Kenya to transform the sector," said businessman Bai Yuehue.

The investors have also picked out Kitale and Nakuru for partnership in technology transfer and are seeking farmers in arid and semi-arid areas to promote uptake of irrigation technologies.

The Chinese will initially import and lease farm equipment; plans to establish a local plant to manufacture and sell the machines are ongoing.

They will work with Egerton University in researching needs per commodity and establishing investment needs for low cost-high yield crops.

The cost of the partnership has not been established but Nyandarua county presented proposals for funding deals.

"We have presented proposals for establishing a Sh3 billion milk processing plant, potato storage solutions and a Sh2 billion potato seed multiplication laboratory," said county chief agriculture officer Daniel Gikaara.

He said he hopes a business deal is finalised by the end of the year.

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