Macadamia farmers in Kenya may finally get relief from exploitative brokers after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe issued a tough ultimatum to processors, warning that failure to pay fair prices will force the government to reopen raw in-shell exports.
Speaking in Nyeri on Thursday, April 23, Kagwe said processors must buy all locally produced macadamia nuts at the government-set minimum price of Ksh100 per kilogram or risk the reopening of raw in-shell exports.
The warning comes amid a long-running crisis in the sector where brokers have continued to exploit farmers despite earlier government warnings. Kagwe said that despite those warnings, brokers continue to buy macadamia from farmers at as low as Ksh 30 per kilogram, only to resell the same nuts to processors at the regulated price.
The government has announced plans to compel farmers to join Saccos and cooperative societies to eliminate middlemen and strengthen farmers’ bargaining power.
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“If processors are not taking all the macadamia produced in Kenya, I will open up exports of raw in-shell macadamia. But I also want farmers to form cooperatives because unity gives you bargaining power and makes it easier for processors to take up produce,” Kagwe said.
To further protect farmers, the ministry said it will intervene in the market if processors fail to absorb all the produce during peak seasons, opening a window to facilitate purchases and ensure farmers are not left with unsold stock or forced to accept low prices.
The CS also condemned theft targeting high-value crops such as coffee, avocados and macadamia, terming it economic sabotage. “Coffee, avocado, and macadamia theft must stop by all means. Sabotaging agriculture is treason because no country survives without food,” he said.
By Benedict Aoya
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