Mea Ltd which is based in Nakuru, Kenya has successfully secured approximately US$ 10m loan from International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the establishment of a fertiliser granulation (making grains) factory for the East African region.
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The plant which is projected to be complete by end of this year will employ the latest technology to produce crop-specific fertiliser, helping address soil nutrient deficiencies and crops nutrient needs.
Mea Ltd subsidiary, Fertiplant East Africa Executive Director, Mr. Titus Gitau confirmed the news and said that the new factory would start producing specialty fertiliser blends for tea, coffee, potatoes and maize tailored for different regions in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi.
“The plant will start producing specialty fertiliser blends for tea, coffee, potatoes and maize tailored for different regions in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi,” said Mr. Gitau.
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Mr Gitau spoke when he hosted IFC vice president for development economics Hans Peter Lankes who toured the plant before proceeding to sign a memorandum of understanding for the factory that will create employment for 100 people.
Mr Lankes said the investment in the firm was informed by IFC’s strategy to promote the development and competitiveness of East Africa’s agricultural sector. He said the project would empower farmers to grow crops for subsistence and commercial purposes.
“Boosting crop yields and closing the gap between actual and attainable yields can be achieved by the implementation and advancement of various practices and technologies, including mechanisation, seed development and fertiliser technologies,” noted Mr Gitau.
The plant is a Vision 2030 flagship project seeking to build on Mea’s 40-year business of selling fertiliser and other farm inputs in Kenya and beyond.
Fertiplant is also expected to help ease prices, enabling farmers to enjoy access to high quality locally processed fertiliser.
Over the years, Mea Ltd has expanded their service capacity from importation and distribution to blending / bagging of custom fertilizer formulation, farmer education and extension support services, as well as testing and research services.
