Miraa-growing areas  to diversify their economy

Governors from the miraa-growing areas of Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties have agreed to spend  part of the Sh1 billion kitty to introduce fruits and other high- value trees to reduce over-reliance on the stimulant.

While distributing bursary cheques in Kangaru, Embu Governor Martin Wambora said although miraa is a major revenue earner, it encourages many students, especially boys, to drop out of school.

He proposed the introduction of  macadamia and avocados to serve as a fallback in case things get worse in the miraa market.

The governor also pointed out that officials will keep working to increase market for miraa and muguka, in a bid to salvage the dwindling market.

“We will still support those engaged in its farming since it is a gazetted cash crop which brings in a lot of money,” he said.

He said part of the Miraa fund will be used to build water earth dams and to install floodlights in key markets so as to make it easy to process and package the produce.

Mr Wambora spoke as a task force appointed by Agriculture CS, Mwangi Kiunjuri started collecting views on how Sh1 billion would be shared among Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties.

“Miraa should not be the only source of income in the region, our people must diversify. We will ensure we get our share of the Sh1billion and use it to buy seedlings to help them get alternative source of living. Miraa market is shrinking due to resistance in various area and we must be prepared,” he said.

Mr Wambora said his government had already kicked off a programme to supply macadamia seedlings to Mbeere region, where most of muguka is grown.