Farmers want zero tax on water tanks, equipment

A farmer has petitioned the National Assembly to push for zero tax rating on water tanks, farming equipment and tools.

Petitioner Taratisio Ireri Kawe urged the MPs to review and amends all laws and regulations, with a view to encouraging Kenyans to harvest rainwater. 

“Although government may lose revenue by not taxing farm equipment, it is bound to benefit from more taxes collected through agribusiness,” Taratisio explained in his petition.

House Speaker Justin Muturi sent the petition to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. The committee is report back to the House and petitioner.

The petitioner said most Kenyans cannot afford equipment to construct pans and harvest rainwater for sustainable irrigation and reduce their reliance on seasonal rains.

Taratisio said food production is heavily reliant on rainfall, which recently has become unreliable.

He said food security is not sustainable unless immediate action is taken to protect the environment and conserve water.

Most farmers have drifted into abject poverty due to lack of an environment ensuring sustainable agricultural production and to imports of produce, the petitioner said.

Kenya harvests an extremely low amount of water.

Studies have shown water storage per capita per year is about 500 cubic metres per capita, but it should be 1,500 cubic metres per capita.

This is the minimum taking into account all requirements for domestic needs including food and clothing. In the US it’s about 5,000 to 6,000 cubic metres per capita storage per year.

Smallholder farmers usually cannot afford to invest in harvesting rainwater. The whole system, from storage to pumping and irrigation, is too expensive for ordinary farmers.

(Edited by V. Graham)