By PSCU
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Livestock yesterday received various submissions from Nyeri leaders and farmers on the best way forward for the two cash crops.
The committee which is chsired by Kirinyaga County Senator James Kamau Murango received the submissions where Nyerians accused brokers of swindling the farmers.
Various speakers called for the enactment of laws that will put the interest of the farmers first.
Speakers narrated how farmers have over the years continued to suffer despite spending manhours in their farms.
They said brokers were the main beneficiaries due to cartels created in the way of marketing the two cash crops.
The Sentor Murango team heard how farmers have neglected the crop with others uprooting and diversifying to other income generating activities due to income frustrations.
Before they aired their views, the stakeholders were taken through the two bills.
The principle object of the Coffee Bill, 2023 is to provide for the development and regulation of the Coffee industry in Kenya. The Bill proposes to reorganize the coffee industry by transitioning the regulatory and commercial roles currently undertaken by the Agriculture and Food Authority to the Coffee Board of Kenya.
The Bill further seeks to transition the research of coffee currently undertaken by the Coffee Research Institute under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation to the Coffee Research Institute.
The Tea (Amendment)Bill, which is sponsored by Bomet County Sen. Hillary K. Sigei seeks to amend certain provisions in the Tea Act, 2020, to protect the tea growers’ proceeds
from mismanagement by factories. The Bill also aims to incentivise value addition of tea by exempting value added tea from payment of the tea levy.
The Bill further seeks to liberalize the tea industry. This will be done through direct sales of tea overseas.
Members of the committee present during the meeting held at The Cultural Cente in Nyeri town included Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi,
Nyeri Senator Wamatinga Wahome,
Nominated Senator Beth Kalunda Syengo,
Bungoma Senator David Wakoli Wafula.
Nyeri leaders were led by Senator Wamatinga and included several other elected leaders who included Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi and scores of MCAs.
Similar Posts by Mt Kenya Times:
- IEBC outlines 2027 General Election preparations
- Nyoro: Parliament begins fuel price review
- Democratic Party of Kenya blames government for fuel crisis
- Court ends blanket teenage defilement charges
- Orengo’s Guard Gone
DPCS