Following the official commissioning of the Ngusishi Potato Cold Storage facility earlier this year by His Excellency, President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) has been diligently collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation of this vital infrastructure. The Ngusishi potato cold storage facility stands as a testament to these efforts, providing farmers with a common user facility for the preservation of their produce. By mitigating post-harvest losses and promoting food security, this initiative holds significant promise for the agricultural sector.
To further enhance the operational efficiency of the cold storage facility, MSEA has forged a partnership with the Warehouse Receipt System Council (WRSC). Under this collaboration, the WRSC plays a significant role in certifying warehouses and issuing warehouse receipts, promoting structured agricultural trade and facilitating access to commodity credit financing.
Recently, a courtesy call to Meru County Governor, Hon. Bishop Kawira Mwangaza, by a delegation led by the Chairperson of the WRSC, Ms. Felicity Nkirote Biriri, reaffirmed the commitment to fully leveraging existing warehousing facilities in Meru County. This collaboration aims to certify idle warehouses across various value chains and facilitate the establishment of additional warehouses, maximizing the utilization of available resources.
Meru County Governor, Hon. Bishop Kawira Mwangaza, Chairperson of the WRSC, Ms. Felicity Nkirote Biriri, along with MSEA Board Chair Mr. James Mureu, Board member Margaret Gitonga and MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa and other representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Agricultural Finance Corporation during the courtesy call.
These collaborative efforts with the MSEA Meru Office, Meru County Government, and the WRSC, promises not only enhanced market access for farmers but also greater economic growth for the county.
MSEA Board Chair James Mureu, MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa showing the WRSC Chair Ms. Felicity Nkirote Mbiriri the Ngusishi Potato Cold Storage Facility during the assessing of the infrastructure readiness in line with standards operations set out by WRSC.
Further, in a comprehensive sensitization forum organized by the WRSC, stakeholders in the agriculture sector were enlightened about the role and benefits of the warehouse receipting system. This forum, led by Ms. Felicity Nkirote Mbiriri and attended by various stakeholders, including governmental bodies like the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB), Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF), Cereal Growers Association (CGA), Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), representatives from Meru County Government, and farmer associations, served as a platform to foster greater understanding and collaboration in advancing agricultural practices.
WRSC Chair Ms. Felicity Nkirote Mbiriri addressing the MSE Farmers during the sensitization forum.
A presentation by the Warehouse Receipt System Council
Madam Caroline Kioko, Ag. Director of Business Development Marketing and Trade at MSEA, lauded the WRSC’s initiative and emphasized the collaborative efforts to make the Ngusishi Potato Cold Storage operational. She underscored the importance of MSE associations and cooperatives in maximizing returns on farmers’ produce, highlighting MSEA’s commitment to facilitating the formalization of such associations across various value chains. The concerted efforts of all stakeholders involved present a new era of prosperity for MSEs in the agribusiness sector, where collaboration and innovation pave the way for sustainable growth and development.
MSEA Ag. Director Business Development Marketing and Trade Madam Caroline Kioko during the sensitization forum.
“In the synergy of collaboration lies the seed of prosperity. Together, we cultivate a future where every farmer’s toil yields bountiful harvests, nourishing communities and fostering resilience.”
Anonymous.