By George Munene
Isiolo, Meru, and Laikipia farmers will increase their fresh produce export by up to 11 per cent once the refurbished Isiolo International Airport becomes operational.
The airport has been fitted with cargo shades that will shield farmers’ fresh produce from exposure to direct sunlight will begin accommodating cargo flights from January next year which will reduce the travel distance of produce to domestic and regional East African markets.
The counties which currently export just four per cent of their agricultural produce— mainly Miraa, pyrethrum, vegetables, and flowers— have never benefited from the airport, which was inaugurated in 2017.
Related News: New platform helps link avocado farmers to local and export buyers
Related News: Local & export demand for orange fleshed sweet potato grows with superfood classification
“Small-scale farmers should embrace horticultural farming in readiness of the reopening of the airport to capitalise on their farm produce getting to a much larger market faster. This will lessen their exploitation at the hands of cartels who enrich themselves at their expense,” stated Government Spokesman Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna while on a tour of the facility.