First Lady urges miraa farmers to diversify to other crops to sustain their income

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta (left) receives an ultrasound machine from Meru County governor's wife Phoebe Munya at Meru Technical Training Institute during the presentation of the 28th Beyond Zero mobile clinic on May 27, 2015. She urged miraa farmers in Meru to diversify farming to other crops. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mrs Kenyatta further asked the farmers to put the crop’s proceeds to good use in order to uplift their livelihoods.
  • The First Lady said she was happy that the Meru people were hardworking.
  • Miraa farmers, especially in Nyambene region, have been staring at losses after the United Kingdom slapped a ban on the commodity.
  • The First Lady expressed her delight that the county is also among the leading producers of bananas in the country.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has urged miraa farmers in Meru to diversify their farming to other crops so as to sustain their income.

Mrs Kenyatta further asked the farmers to put the crop’s proceeds to good use in order to uplift their livelihoods.

Speaking Wednesday at the Meru Technical Training Institute where she took her Beyond Zero campaign and donated the 28th mobile clinic, the First Lady said she was happy that the Meru people were hardworking.

“I urge the miraa farmers to put the proceeds of their business to good use for the benefit of the society and the county at large.

“As we do this, let us also diversify into other cash crops so as to acquire more streams of income,” she said.

Miraa farmers, especially in Nyambene region, have been staring at losses after the United Kingdom slapped a ban on the commodity.

The ban took effect on June, 24, 2014.

In February, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the government was committed to saving the farmers’ source of livelihood.

He said the government would continue to petition the British government to review the ban on miraa.

LEADING BANANA PRODUCER

The First Lady expressed her delight that the county is also among the leading producers of bananas in the country, a factor that highly contributes to Kenya’s food security.

At the same time, she urged parents to ensure that they educate their children.

“In addition, we should ensure that we educate our children since the future belongs to these young ones.

“You will never go wrong when you invest in children through education,” she said adding the prosperity in the different economic sectors had opened up and exposed the country to many opportunities.

She expressed confidence that her Beyond Zero campaign would eventually benefit mothers and children.

Meru Woman Representative Florence Kajuju implored the First Lady to support the creation of more seats for women leaders.

“We need more gender representation in Parliament. We need more women in the national and county assemblies so that we can work together with the men,” she said.

Early this month, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi proposed the scrapping of the 47 women representative seats and those allocated to 12 party nominees and have them replaced with 100 special seats for affirmative action.