Government to spend Ksh 200M in cotton buying this year
he Principal secretary state department for industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana among other Government officers hosted by Rivatex Md Prof Thomas Kipkurgat
By Esther Sikolia
The National government has doubled finances set aside for the purchase of cotton from farmers to support industrial production for the ginnery industries.
The Principal secretary state department for industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana says this year the government has set aside ksh.200 M for the purchase of cotton from cotton farmers.
In his tour at the Rivatex company,the PS indicated the company imports about 80% of the cotton for its production hence impacting negatively on the company’s production cost.
“We have a serious challenge our farmers stopped growing cotton since the collapse of most of our ginneries and that has affected governments efforts to fully revamp existing cotton factories ,in lieu of this the government this year has deliberately increased from ksh50 M to Ksh 200M money meant to buy cotton from our farmers across the country,”Juma said.
Dr.Mukhwana says Cotton buying centers will be established in counties and regions where farmers have engaged in Cotton farming such as Elgeyo Marakwet.
The Managing director of Rivatex company Professor Thomas kipkurgat has noted that more than 100,000 acres of land are required for production of 7.2 million kilos of cotton needed per year at rivatex company hence reduce over reliance in the importation of cotton
“We require 36 kg bales of cotton and when multiplied by 200 per bale that is 7.2 million kgs,and at least a minimum of 100,000 acres under cotton,” said kipkurgat.
Rivatex company currently imports much of its raw materials from India and Pakistan .
The Company in conjunction with ministry officials has laid out an elaborate plan to revive cotton growing in at least the 24 counties that have favourable conditions for cotton production across the country.
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