Timboroa farmers appeal for waiver on AFC loans
Farmers have appealed to the Government to waive the interest accruing in the loans they secured from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC). Photo/FILE
Hundreds of farmers in Timboroa who suffered massive losses following the 2007 post-election violence are now unable to service their loans and have appealed to the Government to waive the interest accruing in the loans they secured from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).
The farmers, who called on the Nation offices in Nakuru town, said they had secured loans ranging from Sh100,000 to Sh500,000 from AFC to boost their farming activities, but since the violence broke out, they have been unable to service the loans.
At least 650,000 people were displaced during the post-election violence that left more than 1,133 people dead, mostly in North Rift Valley.
One of the farmers, Mr Mwangi Wairia, said he had just secured a Sh200,000 loan to boost his pig project and dairy farming before the violence.
“Before the clashes broke out I had about 10 pigs, which were all pregnant, but when they erupted I left my homestead in a hurry and could not save even a single pig,” he said.
He adds that he also lost 14 dairy cattle worth Sh300,000, which he had transferred to Nakuru, but which later died due to the sudden change of climate.
The farmer said he has so far paid Sh40,000 to AFC, but is now finding it impossible to service the monthly fee of Sh5,000 to the corporation.
“I’m completely unable to service the loan, which is why we are asking the government to waive the interest and if possible the entire loan.”
“My loan interest has shot to Sh70,000 and at the rate I’m defaulting, my fear is that AFC may auction my pieces of land at Timboroa,” he said.
Another farmer, Mr Joshua Kemboi from Timboroa, urged the government to compensate farmers like it did with Internally Displaced people (IDPs).
“We are not seeking favours from the government but are asking to be compensated like the rest of the IDPs, so that we can continue with our farming activities now in tatters,” he said.
Mr Kemboi said many of the farmers who had been producing enough cash crops and milk for local consumption and export, have now been turned into beggars.
