Chilli farmers in Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties are expected to reap big following the commissioning of a Sh250 million processing plant in Malindi town.

The factory, Equator Kenya Limited (EKL) Chilli plant, whose output is expected to be 150 tonnes annually, has also directly or indirectly employed more than 8,500 residents. 

EKL director Abubakar Ali said the firm has contracted over 7,000 farmers who are sensitised on the agribusiness aspect and given incentives to venture into chilli farming. 

“We need more in terms of investment in agriculture, and chilli farming is a case in point. Working together in different cycles, we can improve the agricultural sector,” he said. 

He added, “So far we are working with around 7,000 smallholder farmers who are growers in different regions.”

The factory is part of the UK’s Sustainable Urban Economic Development Programme (SUED), which aims to add value to Kenyan agricultural produce before export.

The UK has provided seed funding to de-risk the investment for EKL, which is a leading grower and distributor of African Bird Eye Chilli in Kenya and abroad. 

The chillis survive in harsh climatic conditions with little rainfall, and farmers in the three counties say that it is the only crop that survives in the area due to unreliable rainfall.

Ms Karembo Kahindi from Ganze said EKL introduced them to chilli cultivation four years ago. She said the firm provides incentives such as preparation of the land, chilli seedlings and markets for the produce. 

“I started cultivating the chillis on my half-acre piece of land in 2021, and I have never looked back. This agribusiness venture has enabled me to put food on the table and educate my children. 

Lydia Mwarema from the Vitengeni area said that she is now in the process of expanding her farm from the current one acre so that she can reap more from the venture. 

“I currently have 6,000 seedlings that I want to plant on a larger parcel of land, and I did this because of the economic benefits I enjoy from chilli farming,” she said. 

Kilifi Deputy Governor Florah Chibule said the investment will empower residents economically through various investments. 

“Our mothers and fathers in Kilifi County have been sensitised on various agribusiness opportunities and want to thank the UK government and investors for having confidence in us. We have been having a problem with finding markets for our produce, but the current crop of investors are coming to invest with a ready market in mind,” she said. 

British High Commissioner Neil Wigan said the UK government has played a strategic role in unlocking the investment by providing Sh43 million in seed fund support. 

He said the project aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers by increasing EKL production from the current 70 tonnes of chilli annually to 150 tonnes. 

“Equator Kenya Limited will formalise market linkages, directly employing local farmers while stimulating demand for agricultural inputs and services across the region," he said. 

The Principal Secretary (PS) for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan, said that the government has provided an investor-friendly environment to spur investments.