Government tries to restore leather industry

08 Nov '10

2 min read

The Kenyan government is currently engaged in the process of constructing more tanneries in the country in order to enhance leather production. Mohammed Kuti, the Livestock Minister revealed that the location of the tanneries is likely to fetch a higher value to farmers as these are expected to be operated as community projects in the country.

The ministry is also involved in re-establishing several industrial training institutions to enhance the knowledge and skill which are required in this sector as well as raise the level of employment.

According to the recent data, the 40% tariff enforced on hides and skins had increased the manufacturing of wet blue leather as well as semi-processed leather. In spite of this, the overall value addition is low in the leather industry.

The imposition of tariffs has also led to the rise in the number of tanneries and generation of more employment in the industry. Currently, 7,000 more people are engaged and 7 more tanneries have been started between 2005 and 2008. The revenue generation through the industry has also increased, touching 4 billion in 2008. The government had earned an additional income of 100 million.

In spite of the rise in the prices of finished products both domestically and globally, the overall earnings of the farmer have remained low. In order to develop the necessary skills among the youth, the ministry had allocated the resources to several training institutions like the shoe making institute in Thika and the industrial training institute.

Fibre2fashion News Desk-India

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