By The Mountain Journal team
The
government was interested to formulate regulation that will save coffee growers
from exploitation by cartels.
Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary
Peter Munya said in the new bill farmers interests have been addressed, designed
to ensure the sector will thrive through transparency.
Speaking at Gitugi grounds in Mathioya, Munya
who was accompanied by MP Peter Kimari( Mathioya), Muturi Kigano( Kangema) and
Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata said
for decade the growers have been exploited through weak laws.
“ To
reform the sector the government instituted revival of New KPCU which has been
giving out cherry fund at three percent interest saving the farmers from being
exploited by commercial millers and banks,” said Munya.
He disclosed that errant cooperative officials
were discouraging farmers from applying for the cherry advance fund, and instead
lead them to the banks where the interest rates are high.
“The farmers should be free to apply
for the advance, and the cooperative societies that will fail to sign the forms
as required have their days in offices
numbered,” said Munya.
On tea farming, he said the government was aware that there are individuals out to sabotage implementation of regulations.
The Tea Act, he said, was instituted by the government to assist the tea growers get their deserved returns.
” We are going for them as the government is determined to give Kenya farmers the best prices for their produce,” said the CS.
Kimari
and Nyoro said they were in support of the coffee bill, as farmers have
been taken through the circles for decades, losing their hard earned money.
They said they are ready to support the coffee
bill, as they lobbied for tea regulations 2022.
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