Unstable rice markets in Kisumu set off alarm bells

A farmer scares away wild birds at dominion rice farm in Siaya County. Over 6000 acres of land have been put into rice production. PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR.

KISUMU, KENYA: As more farmers in Kisumu County move away from sugarcane farming and venture into rice to supplement their dwindling income, there is growing concern on the availability of market for the produce.

At the rice farms in Ahero Irrigation Scheme, the crop's future seems bright but behind the scenes, there is mounting anxiety.

With lack of stable markets, the farmers are uncertain whether the crop can effectively replace cane. They say the business was lucrative in the past, which saw more farmers put their farms under rice. But that is no longer the case.

"I used to plant sugarcane previously but it would take long for it to mature and give returns. I have since uprooted the crop and replaced it with rice. With rice, I am able to effectively feed my family," said Margaret Anyango.

During harvesting season, which is done after every three months, a 90kg bag of rice would sell for between Sh3, 500 and Sh5, 000.

"On one acre, I would earn as much as Sh150, 000, nearly double the amount I would earn from sugarcane," said Ms Anyango.

The county government has been banking on commercialising the crop to boost food production and create employment in the region.

Recently, farmers at the West Kano and Ahero irrigation schemes obtained 23 farm tractors, disc ploughs and rice harvesting machines as wider plans by the county to live the dream of boosting food production. The equipment is partly a grant from the Japan International Co-operation, the national government, while local farmers are required to pay Sh60 million.

Speaking during the handover ceremony for the equipment, Governor Jack Ranguma offered to help farmers to pay the Sh60 million. County Industrialisation Executive Johnson Awuor, noted that the machinery will enhance food security and create jobs for the local people.

But regardless of the boost, low prices offered by middlemen seem to be crippling the venture.

The prices as well as frequent drought and importation of the commodity from other countries to meet the deficit have locked farmers into vicious cycle of poverty.

With huge investments pouring into the sector, farmers are worried that the commodity, which has been struggling with low prices, could fail to live up to its objectives of supporting livelihoods.

They are now calling on the Government to provide reliable market for the produce, saying they have constantly produced the commodity but are forced to sell at throw-away prices to traders.

"If we could have a better market price, we would prosper. But as things stand, we are suffering," said Lilian Awuor, a farmer in Ahero.

Currently, a two kilogrammes retails at Sh150 compared to imports, which go for between Sh250 and Sh400. In a region where farmers rely on local varieties, the county government is calling on farmers to adopt disease-resistant and fast maturing seeds.

Other varieties in the region include Basmati and Nerica.

Experts agree that the Nerica variety could address the country's dwindling food security situation.

The variety is high yielding, has a shorter growing season, high protein content and is resistant to drought.