HORTICULTURE.

HORTICULTURE.
JANE MUGAMBI 17TH FEB 2012.

Horticultural farmers from Kirinyaga county have accused Horticultural
co-operation development authority HCDA of putting unfavorable
condition to French beans farmers and favoring some exporting
companies that purchase French beans from farmers leading to losses.
The farmers accused HCDA of fixing unrealistic conditions to farmers
that state that the farmers must give projections of three months to a
contracted company before selling their produce which they termed as
punitive to the farmer.
The farmers added that French beans take only three months to mature
and therefore to tell them to give projections of three months is
asking too much terming it unrealistic.
“How can you give projections for a crop that you have not planted?”
said Geoffrey Kamicha a farmer and supplier of French beans.
The farmers added that HCDA has also restricted farmers to supply
their produce to only one company making the company to purchase
French beans at a very low price since they know you cannot sell your
crop to another company as per the contract.
The farmers added that they were opposed to the monopoly of the market
saying that it will not help French beans farming but will destroy it
instead.
Speaking to the media in kerugoya town kanyekine councilor who is also
a farmer Mr Geofrey Kamicha called on the government to come to the
rescue of farmer saying that interference has led to a decline in
production to more than 80%. “Farmers have abandoned French beans
farming due to the interference by HCDA” said the councilor.
On the part of chemicals the farmers urged the government to remove
chemicals that are not compliant to the set standards from the market
since some farmers are illiterate and cannot read what is written on
the labels. “The only way to address the problem of chemicals is to
make sure that only the fit ones are in the shelves.” Said a farmer
who requested anonimity.
The farmers drawn from the larger kirinyaga county cited delays in
payments as the major factor why farmers breach the contract with
exporters since they sell to middlemen to get money for labour after
delays in payments. “They are supposed to pay after a fortnight but
they rarely do so.” Said kamicha.
They urged HCDA to liberate the market to give farmers freedom to sell
their produce to any company that gives a better price.
Earlier acting finance minister Njeru Githae raised the issue and
promised to look into the issue to save the farmers from exploitation
by exporters in collusion with HCDA.
The farmers called on the minister to act with urgency since French
bans is a perishable produce saying that they cannot afford to wait
any longer.
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