A section of macadamia farmers and traders under the Nuts Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK) has opposed a government proposal requiring farmers to join cooperative societies, warning that the move could expose growers to financial risks reminiscent of past failures.
Speaking during a meeting in Sagana that brought together traders and farmers from seven counties in the Mt Kenya region, NUTAK leaders argued that many farmers lost their savings through collapsed cooperatives in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Our fathers had formed societies in the 70s and 80s and then collapsed, and money was lost. That is when we went back to selling our products to middlemen,” said farmer John Mugo.
The opposition comes just weeks after farmers, processors and regulators agreed to form cooperatives as part of reforms aimed at streamlining the macadamia value chain. The resolution, reached during a two‑day forum convened by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), was intended to enhance bargaining power, improve market access and curb widespread theft of macadamia nuts.
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However, traders insist that the cooperative model will not solve the immediate crisis facing farmers, who are struggling with collapsing farm‑gate prices.
According to NUTAK, the price of macadamia has dropped from Ksh 150 to Ksh 50 per kilogram, leaving growers vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen allegedly linked to large processing companies.
The farmers also accused Members of Parliament and Senators from the Mt Kenya region of failing to protect farmers’ interests, claiming that legislators allowed “oppressive and punitive laws” to pass in Parliament.
“It appears like our members of parliament were compromised by processors to pass Section 43 because it is not meant to favor our farmers,” Juma said.
Farmers at the Sagana meeting also urged the government to lift the ban on the sale and export of raw macadamia nuts, arguing that liberalising the sector would open access to international markets and help stabilise prices.
By Masaki Enock
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