By John Majau
Coffee farmers agonizing over the high prices of inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides can sigh in relief after Outgoing Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya announced a subsidy programme.
Speaking in Meru during the launch of the programme at the Gitoro Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) showground, the CS said registered coffee farmers will be issued with a card that will help them buy subsidised fertilizer and pesticides from authorized dealers.
“New KPCU (Kenya Planters Cooperative Union) is now registering farmers so that they can benefit from the lower prices. Once registered, you will be issued a (bank) card which you will present to your society or factory to buy the inputs. You will pay 60 percent of the cost as the government offsets the balance,” he said.
Munya said 83,653 farmers in 32 coffee growing counties will benefit from the subsidy programme.
“We are not leaving any farmer out. Both small scale and estate farmers will benefit from the programme,” said Munya who was flanked by New KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi and the Directorate of Pyrethrum, Miraa and other Industrial Crops head James Mutia.
The CS assured farmers they can benefit from the programme by borrowing from the Sh.3billion Cherry Advance Fund to buy the inputs if they lacked financing.
Registration is taking place at coffee factories countrywide.
“The cost of fertilizers has shot up. As we get ready to launch a subsidy programme for potatoes in Meru, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru, we are taking lessons from the coffee sector,” said Munya.
Mr Munya noted that the ministry will depend on research it had undertaken to ensure only quality farm inputs are supplied to coffee farmers societies for distribution.
Mkarimu Coffee Estates Chairman Charles Mutwiri hailed the programme, saying it had come at an opportune time for farmers who had suffered for long in the hands of suppliers selling expensive and sub-standard inputs.
“We are happy with what CS Munya is doing in the ministry because farmers have suffered for far too long,” said Mutwiri.
Coffee farmers to benefit from new subsidy on inputs
John Majau
Coffee farmers agonizing over the high prices of inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides can sigh in relief after Outgoing Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya announced a subsidy programme.
Speaking in Meru during the launch of the programme at the Gitoro Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) showground, the CS said registered coffee farmers will be issued with a card that will help them buy subsidised fertilizer and pesticides from authorized dealers.
“New KPCU (Kenya Planters Cooperative Union) is now registering farmers so that they can benefit from the lower prices. Once registered, you will be issued a (bank) card which you will present to your society or factory to buy the inputs. You will pay 60 percent of the cost as the government offsets the balance,” he said.
Munya said 83,653 farmers in 32 coffee growing counties will benefit from the subsidy programme.
“We are not leaving any farmer out. Both small scale and estate farmers will benefit from the programme,” said Munya who was flanked by New KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi and the Directorate of Pyrethrum, Miraa and other Industrial Crops head James Mutia.
The CS assured farmers they can benefit from the programme by borrowing from the Sh.3billion Cherry Advance Fund to buy the inputs if they lacked financing.
Registration is taking place at coffee factories countrywide.
“The cost of fertilizers has shot up. As we get ready to launch a subsidy programme for potatoes in Meru, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru, we are taking lessons from the coffee sector,” said Munya.
Mr Munya noted that the ministry will depend on research it had undertaken to ensure only quality farm inputs are supplied to coffee farmers societies for distribution.
Mkarimu Coffee Estates Chairman Charles Mutwiri hailed the programme, saying it had come at an opportune time for farmers who had suffered for long in the hands of suppliers selling expensive and sub-standard inputs.
“We are happy with what CS Munya is doing in the ministry because farmers have suffered for far too long,” said Mutwiri.
