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The national government is set to build two new markets in Ranen and Riosiri market in Migori County at a cost of Sh170 million. The move is aimed at boosting domestic economic growth and to reach out and serve rural consumers effectively.

Governor Ochillo Ayacko launched the twin market projects yesterday at Ranen in Awendo Constituency. Ayacko and Awendo MP Walter Owino said the Ranen market would meet the diverse needs of consumers and help grow the Ranen trading centre.

The leaders hailed the national government for the initiative, which they said, would be a boon to local farmers’ fresh produce sales.

The two open-air markets will include creating a flexible space for events and new retail units to cover stalls. Riosiri is at the border of Rongo and South Mugirango Constituency. Traders share the markets.

“It is important for our local trading centres such as Ranen and Rsiori to flourish, and help boost the local trade,’’ said Ayacko. The markets have been operating in makeshift stalls, which are moribund.

Now they will get a fresh face lift. The markets, he said, build substantially on the investment already made in recent years, in rural areas largely agricultural economies.

Over the years, rural markets are driven by sales of fresh farm produce, with majority fresh cereals, fish, vegetable and fruits vendors making it the first stop.

Most of the fresh foods from farms first land in the rural markets, where exchange of goods and services takes place.

This therefore underscores the importance of building the markets to increase both disposable income for the smallholder farmers.

However, it is not only them, alone benefiting from the markets. Local traders, too, benefit from improved consumer and purchasing power.

Ayacko and Owino expressed confidence that the market will open up the rural economy and boost disposable income among farmers.

The Governor noted that the rural markets, if well developed, would improve rural livelihoods, create more wealth and employment.

They will also improve access to quality products and services likely to grow with more traders getting attracted to the markets.

This in turn, will lead to overall economic growth of businesses and improve the overall socio-economic growth of the county’s economy.

Ayacko disclosed that his administration would give loan incentives to traders to boost their morale to do business.

He termed business, as one of the alternate ways of job creation. Thousands of traders graced the event. Residents, too, lauded the National and County Government for good venture.

His administration, Ayacko said, was open tyo business and will create an ample environment to attract and grow more businesses.

 He asked the State to improve security around the markets and trading centers to boost investor’s confidence and to attract more investors.