MAKUENI COUNTY RECEIVES LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TO BOOST FARM PRODUCE SAFETY

Makueni County has received a donation of advanced laboratory kits to enhance the testing of agricultural produce for safety and quality standards for consumption.

The donation made by Micro-Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), a public organization that supports small and medium enterprises, is funded by the European Union in partnership with the Danish Embassy (DANIDA).

The equipment that will be used by the county’s agricultural laboratory technical officer includes a milk analyzer, an antibiotic test kit, aflatoxin test kit and computers.

These kits will help detect harmful contaminants in farm produce, which include aflatoxin in maize, pesticide residues in horticultural products, and excess lactose in dairy items.

The donation was officially received by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Joyce Mutua.

Mutua expressed appreciation for the support, noting that the new lab equipment will play a crucial role in safeguarding public health and improving the quality of agricultural products in the county.

The county collaboration with MESPT aims to strengthen agricultural value chains, providing agribusiness with the tools and resources needed to meet commercial standards and enhance the safety of food products.