Del Monte Kenya Ltd. announced the opening of a biofertilizer plant that will turn the company’s pineapple residues into biofertilizers. This initiative signifies a significant leap forward in championing sustainable practices and bolstering the local community through innovation, job creation, and investment.
Biofertilizers are natural fertilizers that use microbes to help promote plant growth by increasing the supply of essential nutrients to the plants. It improves soil fertility, and provides a more sustainable option to traditional fertilizers.
The newly launched plant will be situated near Del Monte Kenya’s operations, and will use residues from the company’s pineapple cannery to create four different types of biofertilizers for its use. As per the announcement made on May 14th,2024 with time, the plant is currently running tests and will be fully operational in June.
“As the largest single exporter of Kenyan products, we are proud to contribute to the advancement of sustainable practices through initiatives like the biofertilizer plant,” said Wayne Cook, Del Monte Kenya’s Acting Deputy Managing Director. “The investment not only reflects our commitment to our people and communities but also positions Kenya as a leader in sustainable agriculture, fostering a greener and more prosperous future for all.”
Del Monte Kenya Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., is a producer, marketer, and distributor of fresh fruit and prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It already employs 6,500 Kenya workers directly and with the opening of this plant, the company can further support the local economy and work towards growing its footprint and impact in the region.