Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday met two cabinet secretaries, including Cooperatives Minister Wycliffe Oparanya and his Agriculture counterpart Andrew Karanja in a bid to streamline the agricultural and entrepreneurship sectors.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
In a statement to the press, the DP pledged his support to the two cabinet Secretaries and urged state agencies tohasten reforms in the agricultural sector especially within the tea, coffee and dairy sub-sectors.
He noted that the support for the two leaders was necessary since it aligned with the government’s plan to increase the country’s food production and farmers’ income.
As a result, Gachagua called on the two CSs to involve farmers in the reforms agenda focused on policy changes, sustainable practices and marketing of the crops.
“Food security is one of the pillars of Kenya Kwanza and I encourage you that we support the government in achieving. Let us build a strong economy for a stronger country. If the two ministries work together the situation will change with ease. I will support you and availability of the Presidency to help you where you want,” the DP told the delegation.
“I asked for this meeting so that we can have a seating with the two new Cabinet Secretaries and take them through the reforms exercise. We have responsibility to support the CSs so that they can succeed in their mandates.”
Gachagua further challenged the newly elected directors of the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) to maintain good leadership and lower the cost of production at the factories.
He noted that part of their mandate was to facilitate farmer-centered reforms in the sector as well as upholding farmers’ welfare.
“We are spending too much money on production to the detriment of the farmer. We must agree on production cost, which has been aggravated by directors,” Gachagua added.
“The directors must stop being extravagant. As government, we are willing to support you to bring stability in the KTDA. The new board must be reformist to the benefit of the farmers,”
The inter-ministerial meeting, held at Gachagua’s home in Karen, brought together several leaders among them members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Borabu MP Patrick Osero and Principal Secretaries Patrick Kilemi, Teresiah Mbaika (Devolution) and Idris Dakota (Cabinet Affairs).
The DP further urged CS Karanja to ensure farmers have access to the Government’s subsidized fertiliser to boost production after noting with concern that coffee production has dropped drastically over the years due to frustrations of farmers.
He also highlighted discouraging payments and mismanagement of cooperative societies as factors affecting coffee farmers.
“Coffee has had perennial problems for almost two decades arising from various factors. After the private sector took over the sector, exploitation of farmers went underway. When farmers did not get returns commensurate with their efforts they neglected the crop and production went down to 50,000 tonnes.
We are working on increased production, improved pricing and motivate farmers back to the farming practice,” Gachagua observed.
“Some cooperative societies have been protesting because despite good prices, farmers got little since the officials of the Saccos had borrowed money from banks without authority of farmers and were deducted.”
