Gideon Moi challenges State on farmers’ woes

A section of leaders from the Rift Valley have challenged the Treasury to urgently release funds to facilitate National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to acquire maize from farmers.

Led by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, the leaders expressed worry over the manner in which the Government is handling serious issues facing farmers.

Speaking during the official opening of a library and launch of a school bus at St Catherine Girls in Uasin Gishu, Moi said quick interventions are required to address and protect farmers.

In reference to the Governments planned one million acre Galana Irrigation project, he expressed worry that agriculture based counties will not have market and favourable bargain for prices.

“If the irrigation project kicks off in a years’ time, the small scale farmer will reap less from NCPB and there will always be outcries,” he said.

He challenged Deputy President William Ruto to convene an urgent meeting involving local leaders and agriculture stakeholders to discuss the future of the sector and in particular maize farming.

Moi urged farmers to take account of their leaders whom he claimed have not presented their grievances in Senate and Parliament.

“Farmers are suffering yet their leaders are not raising their grievances in the floor of the House. Some leaders have a track record of disappearing when crucial issues pertaining agriculture are raised in the floor of the House,” he added.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Uasin Gishu and Nandi Senators Isaac Melly and Stephen Sang respectively.

The Nandi Senator said it is unfortunate that farmers toil hard and later their produce is not accepted at the depots due to lack of adequate funds.

He said if challenges facing the agriculture sector are not addressed, most farmers will be forced to languish in poverty.

“Even if we urge our farmers to adopt horticulture where will they access market?” he posed.

Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago called on legislators to set aside adequate funds for agriculture in the next financial year.

“It is up to the MPs and senators to lobby for the increment of funds in the budget if we are to win the fight against the current woes affecting farmers,” he said.

Mandago called on intelligence teams to investigate on alleged importation of maize by unknown individuals and storing it at the depots.

“There are reports that maize from Uganda is stored secretly at the NCPB depots. Intelligence should probe the matter,” he added.