Pyrethrum farmers want sector liberalised

By James Munyeki

Nyandarua pyrethrum farmers want the Government to liberalise the sub-sector.

The farmers said failure by the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK) to pay them has forced them to uproot the crop even as the Government tries to make frantic efforts to heal the ailing sub-sector.

Most farmers have now shifted their energies to dairy and horticultural farming, and small-scale businesses, which they consider fruitful alternative.

Consequently, acreage under pyrethrum in the region has declined immensely and concerted efforts to revive the once vibrate sector is necessary.

Speaking at Wanjohi trading centre in Kipipiri District on Tuesday, the farmers said they have incurred huge losses.

Led by Mr Kiarie Njoroge, they said they were still interested in the only cash crop in the region but called for more players to be allowed in the sector. Kiarie blamed past managers and the existence of monopoly for the collapse of the pyrethrum sub-sector.

Another farmer, Mr William Muchiri, said pyrethrum farming in the region had been neglected by PBK, which does not allow private players.

Muchiri added that investors from China and US were willing to invest in the sub-sector but were hindered by regulations governing pyrethrum farming. PBK is said to owe farmers millions of shillings in un-paid deliveries.

They also said there was a need to re-organise farmers into cooperative societies to enable them get maximum benefits and market the produce efficiently.