Tea, coffee, and dairy farmers from Kericho County have urged the national government to provide fertilizer subsidies to enable them to produce quality products suited for the market.
Speaking during an economic forum held at Kericho Green Stadium, Kericho County, representatives of various farmers drawn from all the six sub-counties lamented that the fertilizer prices had drastically soared making it impossible for them to produce high yield products.
The Kericho Cooperative Union head Benard Boit who spoke during the forum said the government should consider removing heavy taxation on milk and agricultural products adding that milk processors had dropped the prices from Sh55 to Sh40
“We also need vibrant extension officers to train farmers in all the sub-counties on high productivity of milk,” said Boit.
Boit also called for the construction of a milk and feeds’ factory for farmers to get value for their money by accessing affordable feeds and an increase in milk prices to a high of Sh80 per litre.
On his part, the Kabianga Farmers’ Cooperative Chair Mike Koros pointed out that farmers also needed information and access to credit facilities to enable them to save their earnings and borrow at a friendly interest rate for the betterment of their lives.
Koros however noted that since the revival of the Kabianga Farmers’ Cooperative Society, over 5000 locals have benefitted from direct and indirect employment, producing between 14, 000 to 15, 000 litres of milk per day.
“We are urging the national government to provide a processing plant, high-quality breeds of cattle, and transport logistics for ease of transportation of milk from farms to the processing plants,” added Koros.
Tea and coffee farmers also aired their views on improving the sector during the Kericho Economic Forum pleading with the government to decisively deal with brokers and also increase the bonus pay out farmers receive.
“We need more tea buying centres in the county and we hope the issue of tea companies acquiring machines to replace labourers will be dealt with since many have been rendered jobless following the mechanization of the tea estates,” said Japhet Bore, KTDA official.
Also in attendance at the Kericho Economic Forum were Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagwa, Kakamega Senator Moses Wetangula, Kericho County Deputy Governor Lily Ngok, and Kericho County Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, among other local leaders.
Area leaders organized the economic forum to discuss pertinent economic issues affecting the residents with an aim to address their concerns key of the main issues raised was agriculture.
