State warns Macadamia brokers over extortion of farmers

The National Government has cautioned middlemen in the macadamia value chain, saying those found guilty of extorting farmers risk license revocation.

Cabinet Secretary Agriculture and Livestock Mithika Linturi who is on a tour at the Coast Tour said his ministry will invoke Section 2 of the Crops Act, where no dealer will be allowed to buy the product at a cost of less than Sh100.

“We have deliberately decided to use the Crops Act to cushion farmers from middlemen who are out to deter our agricultural and economic growth agenda,” he said.

It was established that some farmers in Taita Taveta are vending raw macadamia at Sh30 per kilo.

Governor Andrew Mwadime of Taita Taveta reiterated his commitment to partnering with the National Government to boost food production in the county.

“My administration underscores the importance to leverage on linkages between such developed functions and activities being implemented by national government, private sectors and other development partners with the sole aim to improve livelihoods and attain food security in Taita Taveta county.”

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika LInturi with Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime during the CS' coastal tour. (Photo:

The Cabinet Secretary visited the county to officially launch over 16,000 metric tonnes of sunflower seeds and a grain dryer during the harvest period.

Feedlot programme

Regarding the rice value chain, the Linturi-led ministry has indicated plans to assist Taita Taveta in rice production.

The county is set to gain from a 31-feedlot programme initiated by the national government, a move endorsed by the county boss to leverage the livestock export market.

"Taita Taveta county boasts vast ranches covering over 1.2 million acres of land, which, with adequate support, can supply high-quality animals for export," Governor Mwadime said.

Taita Taveta Agriculture Executive Committee Member Erickson Kyongo said the seeds target at least 10,000 farmers and will help address the edible oil deficit in Kenya.

"The seeds we receive will be part of the Kenya Kwanza Success towards bridging the gap, currently standing at 34 per cent. Value addition will therefore be our focus, where through the stewardship of Governor Andrew Mwadime, we intend to strengthen our collaboration to procure pressing machines for value addition," Kyongo explained.

CS Linturi also visited Kwale County to officiate the deployment of Bulk Mobile Grain Dryers and distribute sunflower seeds at the Kwale Cereals Board Warehouse in Tsimba/Golini Ward.

Additionally, he inaugurated the opening of the PAVI Warehouse and a Posho Maize Mill/Packaging Machine for the Pamba Viasi (PAVI) Farmers' Cooperative in Kinondo Ward, where Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani commended the cooperative for its significant impact on its members through farming and value addition.