Rice farmers in Mwea, Kirinyaga County are calling upon the government to protect them from incurring huge losses as the duty free imported rice flood the market.
Mwea Rice Growers Chairman Ndege Muriuki talking recently warned that the policy could have devastating effects on farmers as the main harvest season begins.
“We expect to harvest 100, 000 metric tonne, and if we lack market for that one, we are done,” he said
“One good thing about Pishori rice is that it has always had a ready market and fetched a fair price, but now, with imported rice entering duty-free, we fear that our local Basmati rice will remain unsold,” Muriuki said.
He added that they have a lot of rice already in store from the previous season and the duty free importation could devastate the situation by lowering the prices.
They are urging the government to impose taxes on the imported rice to protect them from huge losses, which comes with duty free imported commodities.
Governor Anne Waiguru also urged the national government to purchase all locally produced rice before allowing duty-free imports, arguing that the influx of cheaper foreign rice during the harvest season is hurting farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme by depressing prices.
“Even when told that the rice grown in the country is not enough for all Kenyans, we should first prioritise the local farmers’ rice before importing rice,” Waiguru said.
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Waiguru further proposed that Mwea farmers be granted first right of purchase in the planned privatisation of the Mwea Rice Mills (MRM), warning that failure to do so could undermine local producers and threaten their livelihoods.
“When privatisation is being done, priority should be given to Mwea farmers to purchase those government shares before any other private individual,” she added.
The remarks come amid growing disquiet among rice growers following a directive by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, allowing the importation of duty-free Grade 1 rice until December 31, 2025.
By Juma Ndigo
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