Sweet potato farmers from Kuria in Migori County have expressed concern over the reducing prices of the crop.
Led by Joyce Maroa, the farmers urged the government to chip in and help them get good prices for their produce.
They blamed the county government for not completing the construction of the potato processing factory in the region which was launched last year by European (EU) Ambassador Harrietta Heirger.
“We are tired of being exploited by middle men who pay us as little as Ksh700 per sack yet sell it sevenfold in Nairobi,” Maroa lamented.
Chacha Mokami explained that they shifted to potato farming after the decline of tobacco production in the area and that they hoped to earn more but they are do disillusioned owing to the low prices of potatoes.
He appealed to the national government to build an industrial park in the area to assist them process crops like sweet potatoes, sorghum and cassava for their sustainability.
“The government should also upgrade our roads to enable us transport our produce to the market on time,” he said.
Migori County CECM in charge of Agriculture Lukas Musende advised the farmers to form groups and join cooperatives to help them sell their potatoes as they wait for the completion of the promised factory.
By Enock Okong’o
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