The Mountain Journal
Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe warned macadamia processors companies against failure to buy all locally produced nuts failure which will open a window for the export of the inshell.
He ordered the processors must buy the commodity at the government-set minimum price of Sh100 per kilo to enable the farmers benefit.
He made the remarks amid the growing pressure from the farmers across the Mountain Kenya region who advocate for the opening of the export of the inshell after many of the local processors closed operation, leaving the farmers with options.
Speaking in Nyeri, Kagwe said brokers exploiting farmers by buying macadamia at as low as KSh30 per kilo will not be tolerated.
He urged processors under the Macadamia by MacNuts Association of Kenya to absorb all produce to protect local value addition, jobs and fair farmer returns.
He spoke as Tetu MP Godfrey Wandeto said he will table a motion in parliament to repeal section 43 of the AFA Act to allow export of raw nut.
The CS announced a major coffee recovery programme targeting an increase in production from 49,000 to 150,000MT through the distribution of one million coffee seedlings in Nyeri and 10,000 seedlings for top-performing factories in every county.
Gachatha Coffee Factory, which paid farmers KSh155 per kilo, was awarded 200,000 seedlings worth over KSh12M for its strong performance. Gachatha coffee is brokered by Alliance Berries Limited.
On factory debts, CS Kagwe warned against reckless borrowing by tea and coffee factories, saying the government cannot continue writing off debts without accountability. Factories seeking loans must now present clear business plans.
