Pyrethrum losing its charm to humble potato

Mr Samuel Kiprono a farmer in Kamara area hinted that for more than three years the board was purely composed of government appointed officials and farmers had no voice at the Nakuru headquarters. “The board should move from being monolithic structure to an export oriented organisation,” he said.

The board led by the managing director, Dr Isaac Mulagoli, said PBK is targeting 600 farmers in pyrethrum growing areas to replant the crop immediately. During a tour of pyrethrum growing districts at the end of last year, Dr Mulagoli said the board had paid Sh5.5 million to farmers.

Start nurseries

He said the board had received another Sh5 million from the government to restart nurseries and another Sh12 million advance payment from world market traders for multiplication of seedlings in efforts to jump-start the sector.

A former PBK director, Mr Samwel Kihiu, accuses the Minister for Agriculture, Mr William Ruto, of giving farmers a row deal in the management of the ailing industry. He said the minister divided the growing areas into four zones; North rift with 18, central rift with 10, Eastern zone with 16, western zone with 9 administrative districts respectively. 

Mr Kihiu complained that the minister’s move is a scheme to throw them out of the sub-sector protesting that farmers must have more stakes in the industry.