How Sh3.7bn banana cash has changed region

A trader arranges bananas at Gakoromone market in Meru on August 15, 2016. Banana farming in the county has boosted local economies in the region. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The economic transformation east of Mitunguu town is due to the booming banana business that has led to the sprouting of five trading centres in Imenti South.
  • Meru agriculture department records show that local farmers earn more than Sh3.7 billion annually from bananas, money that has improved living standards.
  • Imenti South agribusiness development officer Dennis Ombaso says Kamachege, Mwichiune, Mitunguu, Ntharene, Ngonyi, Kariene, Miruri-iri among other trading centres have come up or improved due to banana trade.

Mitunguu town in Meru county looks like a boundary separating the rich and the poor.

On the western side of the trading centre, permanent buildings are sprouting up along the Nkubu-Mitunguu road. But on the east, dry bushes and mud-walled houses litter the area.

The economic transformation east of Mitunguu town is due to the booming banana business that has led to the sprouting of five trading centres in Imenti South.

Meru agriculture department records show that local farmers earn more than Sh3.7 billion annually from bananas, money that has improved living standards.

Imenti South agribusiness development officer Dennis Ombaso says Kamachege, Mwichiune, Mitunguu, Ntharene, Ngonyi, Kariene, Miruri-iri among other trading centres have come up or improved due to banana trade.

Previously, Nkubu, Kariene and Igoji were the main markets in the area.

Mr Ombaso says Ntharene is the biggest banana market in the county handling up to 30 tonnes a week.

Miruri iri produces 20 tonnes, Kamachege more than 10 tonnes, while other buying centres handle up to five tonnes.

Mr James Mwiti, a resident of Mwichiune market, said banana farming has led to a booming transport business and even boda boda riders are reaping big.

Second hand clothes, farm input dealers and lodging facilities have also benefited from the thousands of people who flock to the banana markets every week.

“Farmers rely on boda boda riders to transport their bananas to the market. Riders charge up to Sh50 per bunch depending on distance. A motorbike carries about 10 bunches translating to Sh500 per trip,” Mr Mwiti said.

He said Mwichiune which was previously a shopping centre is now a beehive of activity as traders from Nakuru, Mombasa, Nairobi and other parts of the country pitch tent looking for bananas.

Kirendene chief Stephen Kaaria said the fortunes of Mitunguu, which was a dry area relying on cotton and tobacco farming, changed in the late 90s due to irrigation.

“An acre of land used to cost Sh100, 000 but now goes for more than Sh500, 000. We sell a kilogramme of green banana at between Sh18 and Sh20 which gives us constant flow of money. Mitunguu is now a metropolitan town,” Mr Kaaria said.

As result, three financial institutions have opened branches in the town to tap into its income. Following the increased production, the government, through Smallholder Horticulture Marketing Programme (Shomap), constructed five fresh produce markets and three horticulture collection centres at a cost of Sh248.5 million.