Market still a headache for miraa farmers
Meru governor Peter Munya shares 'miraa' with Cord leader Raila Odinga at the Meru exhibition in the last day of the third devolution conference in Meru on April 22, 2016. The government has offered miraa farmers Sh1bn assistance. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI
What you need to know:
- Government offered miraa farmers Sh1bn assistance.
- Director general of the Agriculture Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) Alfred Busolo says part of the funds are to be used in conducting research to prove that miraa should not be classified as a class C drug.
- Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett says part of the funds will be used in securing markets as well as help farmers to diversify to other cash crops in order to cut over-reliance on miraa.
The recent move by the government to release Sh1 billion to assist miraa farmers is good news to the growers although the major headache remains the market for the lucrative crop.
Agriculture regulator says the market element is a key component that has to be given prominence using the funds that have been allocated.
Director general of the Agriculture Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA) Alfred Busolo says part of the funds are to be used in conducting research to prove that miraa should not be classified as a class C drug thus categorising it as an anabolic steroid.
HIGH LEVEL RESEARCH
“We need to hire experts who will carry out high level research to prove that miraa is not a drug. This will be a key step towards opening the now banned European market,” said Mr Busolo.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett says part of the funds will be used in securing markets as well as help farmers to diversify to other cash crops in order to cut over-reliance on miraa.
