Lamu County has transformed local agriculture with the installation of its first-ever edible oil processing machine at the Mpeketoni Agricultural Training Centre (ATC). Through a partnership between the County Government of Lamu and the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (AFA), the machine increases daily production from 500 kg to five tonnes, enabling pressing, purification, packaging, and branding of sunflower, sesame seeds, and peanuts.
Farmers are now earning more from their crops, households enjoy affordable, locally produced cooking oil, and new jobs are being created along the value chain. The project strengthens food security, promotes agribusiness, and reduces reliance on imported oil. Governor Issa Timamy welcomed the project as a milestone for economic empowerment in Lamu, showing how innovation and collaboration can transform agriculture and improve livelihoods across the County.
What initiative has your County taken to improve agricultural value addition and farmer incomes?
Visit https://maarifa.cog.go.ke/ to learn more about the successful initiatives on service delivery our Counties are undertaking.
By Ali Athman
Lamu County