Miraa farmers welcome Uhuru's directive for release of Sh1.2b to revive sector

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the government to release Sh1.2 billion to implement recommendations made by a taskforce for revival of the miraa farming sector.

Mr Kenyatta issued the directive on Tuesday after he received a report by a taskforce he formed to look into the sector.

Besides the Sh1.2 billion being released for implementing the recommendations, the government has also allocated another Sh1 billion in the budget presented last week to go towards promoting the cash crop.

Mr Kenyatta said all priority recommendations by the taskforce should be implemented within the year.

“The money that was allocated will now be released and it will be used in accordance with the recommendations of the task force,” said the president.

Key among the immediate recommendations is providing seed capital for farmers to access affordable credit, aimed at redemption of leased miraa farms to break the cycle of poverty.

ACCES CREDIT

The government will facilitate the setting up of saccos so that growers can access the credit in an organised manner.

The State says it is planning to set up a scientific study at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) with a view to developing a scientific basis for lobbying against the restrictions imposed on the crop in parts of Europe.

The task force also recommended registration of miraa farmers to facilitate target intervention and eliminate possibility of fraud.

The report says a farmer-controlled agency styled along the lines of similar bodies for other cash crops should be formed.

Establishment of Miraa Research Institute (M.R.I) and support for research on the development of various new miraa products and utilisations is another of the immediate recommendations.

The report also calls for lifting of all restrictions on the transportation of Miraa at Kenyan airports. They said currently, it is only Wilson Airport where there are no restrictions on the crop.

IMPLEMENTING COMMITTEE

President Kenyatta said the same task force that worked on the report will be transformed to become an implementing committee.

He directed the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua to have a meeting with the team so that they can embark on their new duties immediately.

“Some of the recommendations here are straightforward and can even be implemented immediately. That work should start today,” said the President.

Leaders from Miraa growing areas led by Senator Kiraitu Murungi, who attended the meeting, said the President’s gesture to elevate the status of Miraa was appreciated by those who depend on the crop.

“Of all the Presidents Kenya has had, you have elevated Miraa to its highest standard and we hope that under your leadership we will be able to witness the introduction of modern ways of processing the product,” said the Senator.

He said Miraa is a plant similar to tea and there is great potential of producing products that can be used in other ways instead of the twigs which are chewed.

HAPPY FARMERS

Igembe Central MP Iringo said: “You become the second President to promote Miraa after what Mzee Jomo Kenyatta did for the people who grow the crop”.

Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe said the main challenges facing the crop are related to marketing and the implementation of the recommendations are aimed at making miraa more profitable.

The chairman of the Task Force, Nchooro M’Mwenda, said they had conducted all required consultations and he is confident the implementation of the report will see lost markets recovered.

Other leaders who attended the meeting included Tigania East MP Mpuri Aburi, Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi and Igembe North MP Joseph M’eruaki.

Miraa farmers, after the news broke, took to social media to congratulate the President on his directive.

The farmers, however, pointed out more aspects that had not been highlighted in the report presented to the Head of State at State House, Nairobi which they felt would help them improve production of miraa.

ADDITIONAL MARKETS

Mr James Mithika said was optimistic the almost collapsing sector would be brought back to life since the UK banned miraa imports in June 2014.

“There is a diseases that has attacked our crops in the lower sides of Igembe. We hope part of the allocation will be used to conduct a research that will establish the causes and disease prevention,” Mr Mithika said.

Mwenda Timothy posted on his Facebook page that the move will support Miraa farmers with capital to diversify their produce and seek for additional markets.

Another farmer Mbae Magite asked the selected miraa report implementation committee to consider using part of the money to construct roads in the area for easy transportation of the plant to the market.