In an effort to streamline value chains for various agricultural produce, the government has pledged its continual revitalisation of the agricultural cooperatives societies.
Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Cabinet secretary Simon Chelugui said this will aid in efficient management, stabilise food prices and enhance food security.
Besides, the CS noted that such efforts will help restore various agricultural sectors that have long been infiltrated by cartels thus enabling farmers to get value for their hard-work.
He said the President William Ruto-led administration is farmers centric and is greatly concerned in empowering farmers through among other efforts revolutionising various agricultural departments, direct partnership with farmers and appointment of farmers' representatives in various key decision making dockets.
To further boost the smooth operations of the cooperatives, the CS urged the County governments to recruit cooperative officers in every ward, saying they will be resourceful in training farmers on how to maximise their profits and increase their productivity.
He in addition challenged cooperative managements to reduce unnecessary expenses so that such institutions do not continue incurring huge losses.
Chelugui assured farmers that the government will also continue improving the delivery services of essential farm inputs and seedling in a more convenient, accessible, and cost saving approach.
Speaking on Wednesday, the CS said the government is taking stock of the ongoing distribution of subsidised fertilisers across the 21 counties to improve the distribution method in future seasons which he noted will be brought closer to the farmers, through among other outlets, the cooperative societies.
“To further enhance food security, the government is revitalising agricultural cooperatives in the dairy, coffee, cotton , tea and maize among others. A multi-agency team has been established to assist in the distribution of subsidised fertilisers to the farmers. The multi-agency team has identified 21 counties,” he said.
Chelugui spoke in Gichugu Kirinyaga county, during the pay-out launch of the New Ngariama co-operative society which has registered the highest payment to cherry farmers in the country at Sh100.50 per kilo.
The CS lauded the society for the achievement and for proper management in bid to financially uplift the lives of the 7,500 farmers.
He said the government is determined to reclaim the lost glory of the coffee sector by providing a conducive environment which will be key in attaining a target payment of Sh150 per kilo.
He said among efforts the government is seriously undertaking in order to attain profits for farmers, is dismantling cartels who for long have hijacked and stifled the operations of sector, as well as reorganising the Nairobi Coffee exchange by brining on board farmers' representatives.
He cited countries like Colombia which fetch profitable prices, coffee is sold using international coffee exchange rates and as such noted that the situation can be doable in the country.
The CS further pledged support for cooperatives specialising in milk, rice and horticulture across the county saying the government will continue supporting them. He noted that out of the 650 milk coolants set to be distributed across the country, at least 20 cooling machines will be delivered to various Kirinyaga milk cooperative societies.
The CS further encouraged macadamia farmers to continue cultivating their produce as the government is in the process of streamlining the sector. He said a few rogue individual who were bent on hijacking the sector for their own selfish ambitions have since been dealt with, and that soon the government will be making some announcements geared towards reviving the sector.
Governor Anne Waiguru whose message was read on her behalf by county’s cooperative CEC Calbert Munene, hailed the New Ngariama cooperative management for its competent leadership and ability to deliver desirable results to it’s members. She also called on other cooperative societies across the county to borrow a leaf from the pace setter.
The governor said her administration will continue supporting coffee farmers through provision of sensitisation programmes that will enable farmers apply best agricultural practices. This, she said, will subsequently maximise profitability as well as enhance productivity.
She further noted that her government will continue supporting farmers in modernising their facilities for efficient and better returns.
“Our coffee is one of the best brands in the world, and is produced on 47,700 acres by about 90,000 small holder farmers who process and sell through cooperative societies. We have been at the forefront in supporting a strong cooperative movement. Our county prides itself in having a vibrant cooperative society with 96 registered cooperatives societies, 15 of them being in the coffee sector,” the governor said.
Area MP Gichimu Githinji thanked the National government for it’s commitment in streamlining the coffee sector through the creation of a parliamentary coffee caucus which he is a member.
He further called for the swift re-introduction and adoption of the coffee bill by both the National Assembly and Senate saying if passed to law, it will help a great deal in regulating the coffee sector.
New Ngariama cooperative society chairperson Ephantus Magu described the growth of the cooperative as an emulatable milestone, over the steady rise of the institution. Having been formed in 1997, the membership has thus far grown from 1,200 in 1997 to 7,500 in 2023.
Moreover, he noted that the cherry production has also increased exponentially from an average of 500,000 kilogrammes in 1997 to a staggering average of 4.1 million currently.