Koskei urges Mt Elgon farmers to shift into high-value crops
Key points
- Felix Koskei urged Mt Elgon farmers to adopt high-value crops.
- The message targets overreliance on low-margin staples.
- Markets, inputs and extension must accompany crop-shift speeches.
Soil can grow more than survival. KNA reports that Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has challenged farmers in Mt Elgon to abandon overreliance on low-return patterns and shift to high-value crops to transform the local economy.
High-value can mean avocado, macadamia, horticulture or specialty coffee — depending on altitude and water. Without aggregation, cold storage and buyer contracts, farmers who switch can be ruined by the first glut.
What transformation needs
County extension, cooperatives, rural roads and affordable credit. National leaders who visit should leave published support packages, not only challenge quotes.
Food security still requires staples; diversification is a portfolio, not a ban on maize.
Youth
Agribusiness packaging and logistics can employ non-farm youth if power and internet reach collection centres.
Agriculture contacts: directory.
Based on KNA reporting of Koskei’s Mt Elgon remarks.