Gov’t in talks with Indonesia to a*sist Kenya in large-scale production of edible oil – CS Kuria
The government is in advanced talks with Indonesian authorities to assist Kenya boost the production of edible oil in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, July 6, 2023, Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria revealed that a delegation of leading Indonesian government and private companies is expected in Nairobi next week to finalise talks on helping local farmers in large-scale production of palm oil, sunflower oil and soya beans.
The delegation will hold talks with Kuria, President William Ruto and Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi on an agreement for end-to-end development of the edible oil industry.
The Indonesian delegation will be led by Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who coordinates seven ministries in the President Joko Widodo 'Jokowi'-led government.
"The talks will be centred around supporting farmers in selected counties of Lamu, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu and Busia through an outgrowth scheme as well large-scale plantation farming," CS Kuria said.
"The delegation will also include government and private companies keen to invest in other sectors including Blue Economy, Mining, Meat & Livestock, Apparels &Textiles, Geothermal Energy, Petroleum Refinery and Exploration, Sugar farming as well as Pharmaceutical Manufacturing," Kuria added.
This is the second time in six months that Minister Luhut is visiting Kenya after his talks with President Ruto in January. President Ruto despatched CS Kuria who led a reciprocal senior government delegation to Jakarta in May.
Minister Luhut's visit is expected to prepare ground for a State Visit by President Jokowi in August.
According to the CS, Kenya currently imports crude palm oil worth US $1 Billion annually through 5 companies of Bidco, Kapa Oil, Pwani Oil, Menengai and Golden Africa.
Kuria noted that large production of edible oil will help reduce prices of the commodity in the country months after a crisis that saw a litre of the product hit Ksh480.
"Last December, there was an outcry from consumers when the prices of edible Oil skyrocketed to Ksh 480 per litre forcing the government to import edible Oil through the Kenya National Trading Corporation thus reducing the retail price by more than a half to Ksh220 per litre currently," Kuria added.
