POTATO FARMERS TO REAP HUGE FROM NEW PACKAGING AND MARKETING - TopicsExpress

POTATO FARMERS TO REAP HUGE FROM NEW PACKAGING AND MARKETING LAW FROM JULY 20th June 2014 - Potato farmers in Nakuru County are set to benefit from the new law that would see them start selling the produce in 50kg bags from July this year. Speaking on the sidelines of the two day Intergovernmental Consultative Forum on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Mombasa, Nakuru County Minister in charge of Agriculture, Dr. Stanley Chepkwony said this will go a long way in making sure farmers earn every coin from their produce. “By 1st of July no one should be packaging and marketing potatoes in bags more than 50kg. We have already discussed the matter in this forum and we have made our stand clear on the implementation of that law. In the past, the Kenyan law required that the produce be sold in 110kg bags, but middle men exploited the non-regulation of that law by buying in extended bags in turn making the counties to lose at least one billion shillings as a result. Chepkwony said the sensitization within the Nakuru County is already underway to get the participation of everyone in the success of the new changes. “Already strict rules of implementation and harsh fines have been finalized for those who fail to adhere to it and each the county will have branded bags indicating where the potatoes originated from. “We have started educating famers on the new changes and on the 30th of June we will have an official launch which will be presided over by Governor of Kinuthia Mbugua. The government, in conjunction with other potato rich counties, will ensure farmers utilize portable 50 kg packaging.” The minister was categorical that the implementation of the law should be carried out in all counties. “We have agreed amongst all counties and also included the national government, that no market should receive potatoes beyond the regulated weight of 50kg’s. We want this to be implemented equally in all counties. This is also in accordance with the international law, no one is allowed to carry goods more than their own weight.” Twelve potato growing counties came together and agree to start selling their produce in 50kg bags from June and they also agreed on a common bill to be passed by their respective assemblies by the end of the month. He added that once the benefits have been accrued to the farmers, Governor Mbugua is keen on attracting investors on value addition. This includes companies that make crisps, frozen chips and starch etc. So far two foreign investors have expressed interest to set up factories in Mau Narok, Njoro, and Keringet are of Kuresoi. Meanwhile, the minister has lauded the clarity coming out now in regards to the roles played by the national government and the counties in seeing the full implementation of agriculture in the country. “One thing is that the government is now fully aware about their role. It’s now very clear, their duty is formulating policies. Our work in the county government is implementation. If there was any doubt, then now it’s been made clear.” Speaking on some of the key issues that were discussed at the forum, the minister was categorical on the roles of some parastatal’s and regulatory boards of agriculture and their specific roles. “I proposed that the regulatory board for pyrethrum should be separated from the pyrethrum board, a matter that even the Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture Felix Koskei has made clear. You don’t expect the regulatory board to be the ones making the regulatory laws and at the same time being the player. It’s like having a referee who is also playing in a football match.” In attendance was the chair of the Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei, chairman of the Agriculture and Land Committee of Council of Governors, Governor Nderitu Gachagua, Chairman of the Public Service Commission Prof. Margret Kobia, chairman of the Legal and Human Rights Commission Governor Peter Munya, Transition Authorty chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi who all contributed in various sessions of the forum. Governor Kinuthia Mbugua who was also in attendance, noted the importance of the working relationship between the national government and the counties. “This is important to Nakuru County as one of the key food producers in Kenya. With agriculture being one of the key sector for providing the ground for sustainable economic growth we are at the fore front in playing our part and to work together with the national government.” Governor Mbugua is a key member of the Committee of Agriculture in the Council of Governors The forum which brought together governors from various counties and their chief executives in the agriculture docket started on the 18th of June and addressed important issues of harmonization and coordination of investments in the agriculture sector in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Agriculture Sector Development Strategy. Other issues that were top on the agenda at the forum included the need for better coordination arising from the new Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the devolved system of governance. Agriculture is the key sector for providing the ground for sustainable economic growth and is hence one of the most important focal area for investment in the majority of counties. Various international development partners were in attendance and emphasized on the need for focused and determined sector investment plans at the county level.