The Government is ready to engage macadamia processors and exporters if they are ready to offer farmers better pay, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced.
Speaking at the Agricultural Mombasa International Show on Thursday, September 5, the Deputy President noted that the government is ready for a discussion on minimum returns before any action to stop farmers from exporting directly.
“Macadamia processors want us to stop farmers from exporting raw products of macadamia. The government has no problem with that provided we sit down and agree on a minimum return, which should not be below what the farmers are earning today.
"If they are amiable to that discussion, we have agreed with the Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture Dr Andrew Karanja to engage them as early as tomorrow,” remarked Gachagua.
The Deputy President pointed out that processors must pay what the farmers are earning now or more, between Sh100 and Sh150 per kilogramme.
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He said the farmer, irrespective of the subsector is king, therefore, there is no going back on taking short-term measures to cushion them from exploitation.
On coffee, Gachagua disclosed that the Government is working on compliance with the European Union Deforestation (EUDR) by December 30, 2024, to enable farmers continue accessing the European market.
“The Government agencies have the requisite and sufficient data to set up a due diligence system. We have started the process of ensuring our coffee farmers comply by December 30, 2024 deadline. The Government has mobilised Ministries, State Departments, and Agencies to form an Inter-Ministerial committee to fast-track compliance with the EU market requirements,” the Deputy President said.
The EU imports more than 55% of Kenyan coffee. In the year 2022/2023, Kenya exported 48,000 MT and the country aims at 60,000 MT in 2024/2025.
With the support of the ongoing reforms in the coffee subsector, spearheaded by the Deputy President, Kenya is working to raise the export up to 102,000 by 2027.
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