Potato farmers protest against middlemen bags

Potato farmers Paul Nabu Gikuni (left) and Stephen Wanyoike with an extended sack of potatoes at Soko Mjinga market along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. (Nanjinia Wamuswa, Standard)

Potato farmers yesterday took to the streets to protest against what they termed as exploitation by middlemen.

The farmers said the brokers buy the commodity in extended bags and later repackage them into 50kg bags before selling them in Nairobi and other markets.

An extended bag of the commodity weighing more than 110kg is being bought at Sh2,800 by the middlemen.

The farmers have accused the county government of failing to curb the vice despite assurance to do so a year ago.

“The law is very clear that the potatoes should be packaged in 50kg bags.The middlemen are now taking advantage by buying the produce in extended bags only to later repackage it in 50kg bags before transporting it. They are making a huge profits while the farmer is wallowing in poverty,” said Potato Growers Association Chairman Wilfred Kimaru.

Mr Kimaru regretted that efforts to seek help from the national and the county governments have been futile.

“Why is the government not enforcing the Potato Act which is very clear on how potatoes should be packaged? Farmers are suffering despite putting more efforts in the sector,” he said.

He said potatoes worth millions of shillings were now rotting in farms as farmers could not watch as they are being exploited by the middlemen.

Governor Francis Kimemia, however, said he has initiated efforts to reform the county’s ailing potato sub-sector.

The governor said that a committee had been formed to iron out issues ailing the sector.

“My administration will ensure enforcement of the 50kg bag rule through our officers and Nyandarua Potato Task Force comprising directors from the departments of Agriculture, Co-operatives, Trade and Finance,” he said.

However, he said the issue is systematic.

“We will also set up centre to measure exact weights in addition to creating a revolving fund to help increase profits in the potato industry and employ more of our youths,” added the county boss.

He said the county will set up a potato cold storage facility in every sub-county and establish a tuber laboratory.

He urged farmers to set up co-operatives to enable them have a better  bargaining power over middlemen and engage with the county government on issues ailing the sector. “We will revive markets such as Loriondo, Soko Mjinga and Ndaragwa by piping water and connecting them to the national grid,” he said.