Farmers differ over contract system

By Dedan Okanga

Small-scale farmers in the North Rift have rejected contract farming system announced by Agriculture Minister William Ruto last month.

The farmers opposed the system saying it would only benefit large-scale farmers at their expense, and further widen the gap between the rich and poor farmers.

"We cannot commit to the deal because price regulation only favours those who produce in bulk, but smallholders do well in a liberal market," said Mr Sammy Lagat, a small-scale farmer.

A recent meeting by the farmers at a National Cereals and Produce Board depot failed to endorse the system as large-scale farmers supported the system.

"Going by the massive losses that farmers have continued to incur as a result of arbitrary control of prices, only contract farming would restore their confidence ahead of this year’s planting season," said Mr Sila Tiren, a large-scale farmer.

Tug-of-war

Large-scale farmers favoured the system saying it would plan and protect them in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.

"Farming is the only business where you get in without knowing what you will get at the end of the harvest," said Tiren.

But small-scale farmers say they opposed the system as it would leave them at the mercy of middlemen and cartels.

The system involves agreement between farmers and the Government, where the Government determines the amount of maize that farmers should produce and commits itself to purchase at a fixed price.

The current food crisis has been blamed partly on hoarding caused by the failure of farmers and the Government to agree on prices of maize delivered at its depots.