According to Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, mango farmers should continue to invest in agriculture to boost the economy. Kilonzo said the ongoing first national mango conference and exhibition in Makueni County was discussing among other issues the need for establishing a fund similar to coffee’s Cherry Fund. This, he said, will boost production of the crop not only in the county but across the country.
He said: “We want every county to export mangoes. This is the cash crop in Makueni and many other regions. But, the people who grow it don’t receive any money.”
The governor spoke during the first ever mango conference and exhibition in Wote, Makueni County on Tuesday. “We are in discussion with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) through the Agricultural Crops and Development Authority, Coffee got money called Cherry Fund, Sh9 billion we want to have a discussion about a fund for mangoes where mango farmers can be advanced some money.”
"Once that money is advanced, just like in other sectors like tea, then you create hope so that mango farmers and young people looking for money can quickly get money and improve the economy,” Kilonzo said.
Source: the-star.co.ke