Lamu County has achieved a historic breakthrough in agricultural value addition with the installation of its first-ever edible oil processing machine at the Mpeketoni Agricultural Training Centre (ATC).
The state-of-the-art machine, a partnership between the County Government of Lamu and the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (AFA), will process sunflower, simsim, and peanuts through pressing, purification, packaging, and branding.
With a capacity of five tonnes per day, the facility marks a massive leap from the county’s previous output of just 500 kilograms daily.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Hon. Gichu, hailed the milestone as a “game-changer” for farmers in Lamu, urging them to increase production of oil crops to maximize the benefits.
“With the capacity to process up to five tonnes daily, we now have the ability to add real value to sunflower, simsim, and peanuts grown here in Lamu. I urge our farmers to take advantage of this opportunity by planting more oil crops, so that together we can maximize production and increase incomes,” Hon. Gichu said.
The locally produced oil is expected to lower the cost of living for residents by reducing reliance on imported edible oil, while creating new markets and income streams for farmers.
The installation also reflects Governor Issa Timamy’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, and farmer empowerment.
Hon. Gichu commended the Governor’s leadership and the support of AFA in driving this initiative forward.
Present at the launch were representatives from the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (AFA), Madam Ann Gikonyo, Agriculture CECM Hon. Gichu, as well as Bahari and Hongwe Ward Administrators.
The new machine is set to boost Lamu’s economy by empowering smallholder farmers, enhancing value addition, and strengthening the county’s position in Kenya’s edible oil production.