MP Jane Kagiri to table a bill  to block unneccesary food imports 

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Import of the agriculture produce from the neighbouring countries has irked an MP, who is seeking to introduce a local content bill in parliament to institure policies  for the benefit of the local farmers

The Laikipia MP Jane Kagiri says a local content bill will give preference  to the local farm produce in the market as the imports will be marked in the outlets.

Speaking in Laikipia in a function attended by the Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Paul Kiprono, Kagiri said that it was absurd that locally produced tomatoes,  onions among other crops were going to waste as the imported ones got the largest preference  due to the low prices.

“We have allowed an influx of foreign food crops among them onions that sabotage the local market to the extent our produce is ignored,” she said.

Once the food from outside reaches the local markets, she adds, the prices are lowered  to favour the imports. 

The bill will ensure the supermarkets label the origin of the produce and explain reasons behind the importation she said.

Her concerns emerge when Kenya farmers say their produce are reject in the market with the trade preferring the cheaper horticulture and cereal imported from the neighbouring countries.

 Farmers led by Njuguna Mwangi support the sentiments by the MP saying long small scale holders have suffered in the markets as the buyers prefer the imported foods.

“ There is a need  for a policy to guard the tomatoes and union farmers who have been going at a loss annually at the expense of the imports,” he said as he asked the government to lower the taxes