Thanks to Italy and its adhesion to the European Union's 'Go Blue' programme, the communities of small-scale farmers on the coast, particularly in Kilifi and Kwale counties, will be able to transform the tubers known in Kenya as 'cassava', or manioc, into flour and improve both their health conditions, with more frequent and less costly access to food, and the economic conditions for the manioc flour trade.
The handover ceremonies of the two cassava processing plants in the towns of Matsangoni and Magodi were held in recent days.
As reported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS),
The plants, powered by solar energy and including a drying facility, were realised through the Italian component of the Go Blue Programme, financed by the European Union and implemented by AICS with the technical support of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Ciheam.

"We are witnessing the fruits of a journey that began four years ago, with the launch of Go Blue in Kenya: the opening of these facilities is proof that the initiative is concretely supporting small-scale farmers on the coast in creating added value from local produce, through a structure that is environmentally friendly, open and inclusive," said AICS Director Marco Riccardo Rusconi, speaking at the two inauguration ceremonies.  Flora Betsa Chibule, Deputy Governor of Kilifi County, said: "In Kilifi County, we are mostly fishermen or farmers. We are grateful for this planting, and since cassava is a crop that grows well in Kilifi, we are encouraging farmers to grow it and supplement it with maize and other crops'.
In the same vein is Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani.
"This is not the first time we have received support from the European Union. A few months ago we were receiving fishing boats in Shimoni. Today we are here in this cassava processing plant. But we do not take it for granted, we appreciate it and we want to cooperate even more," said Achani.