Address farmers’ woes now, says Baringo Senator Gideon Moi

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has asked the National Treasury to release funds to enable the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) buy maize from farmers.

Gideon said the government has continued to ignore the plight of farmers in the Rift Valley.
“The manner in which the government is handling serious issues facing farmers in the Rift Valley leaves a lot to be desired. There is no seriousness in addressing their plight,” he said.

Gideon, who was speaking on Friday during the official opening of a library and launch of a school bus at St Catherine Girls School in Uasin Gishu County, said quick interventions are required to protect farmers. “The government needs to release funds to NCPB for them to buy maize from farmers. It is not good that farmers have to go to the streets to fight for their rights,” he said.

The Kanu chairman said farmers’ grievances should not be ignored and all leaders must come together to find a lasting solution. He said it is sad that farmers do a lot to safeguard Kenya’s food security, yet the Government was not doing enough to support them. “Farmers feed the nation and their issues should not be taken lightly. The Government should come out clearly and address all the issues raised,” he said.

Gideon challenged Deputy President William Ruto to convene an urgent meeting of all elected leaders from the Rift Valley and agricultural stakeholders to discuss the future of the sector, particularly maize farming. “Let us have a meeting of all the leaders from Rift Valley and sort out these issues once and for all. It cannot be that every time farmers from the region are left to suffer. It is an embarrassment to all of us,” he said.

Gideon asked the farmers to put their leaders, whom he said have not presented their grievances at the Senate or National Assembly, to task.

The senator expressed worry that counties that rely on agriculture will no longer have the power to bargain for fair prices for their produce when the one million acre irrigation project in Galana is rolled out. “If the irrigation project kicks off in a year’s time, the small scale farmer will reap less from NCPB and there shall always be problems,” he said.

Nand Senator Stephen Sang said it is unfortunate farmers toil hard only for their produce to lack market. He said if challenges facing the agriculture sector are not addressed, most farmers will languish in poverty. “Even if we urge our farmers to adopt horticulture, where will they sell their produce?” he posed.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago asked MPs 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 if we are to solve the woes affecting farmers,” he said.

Mandago said claims that some individuals imported maize and stored them in NCPB depots must be investigated.