By Mwenda Kinoti
President William Ruto has said his administration will empower farmer cooperatives to help eradicate cartels.
Speaking in Meru, Ruto said since Kenya Kwanza targets doubling production in farm produce, farmers need to join hands to have one voice in marketing of their produce.
“We have a comprehensive plan to unite our farmers. We also have a set of regulations that will streamline cooperatives and societies to help farmers,” said Ruto.
The President added, “We need to double our production as it was in our manifesto. We will reduce the cost of production so that we also have enough satisfy the continents market”.
Sh5 billion
Cooperatives CS Simon Chelugui noted that his ministry is committed to strengthening cooperatives.
“Together with the ministry of Agriculture, we are celebrating increased value addition, aggregation by the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union. This is a pointer that the cooperative model has a big role to play in our economy,” said the CS.
Meanwhile, President Ruto noted that Sh5 billion has been set aside for on aggregation and industrial parks.
Markets
Ruto said this will help keep away brokers from marketing of produce.
He also said that the government will revive 181 markets across the country with, Meru benefiting with seven (7) of them.”
In Meru, we have allocated for Kangeta in Igembe Central, Kiirua and Kibirichia in Buuri, Igembe South in Athiru Gaiti that will cost Sh.20Million, and others will be at Nchiru-Tigania West, Nkubu-South Imenti and Muthara-Tigania East,” he noted.
