Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior has called on the government to put into place policies that will put to an end the pain of Mango farmers in Ukambani.
He said it's time the State recognised the fruit as other cash crops not meant to be eaten by dogs.
The governor was speaking at the start of a three-day National Mango Confrence at Police grounds in Wote.
He said mango farmers have suffered for way too long due to poor market for the fruits.
"It has been far too long for suffering, exploitation and ignorance of the mango farmer. Freedom is coming," Mutula said.
He said reference has been made to mangoes in a comical way in total disregard of the crop's monetary value.
"Songs have been sang by artists to mock the Kamba Community which is too intimidating," Mutula said.
The governir said it's gotting worse when a broker at a political meeting bragged about how he was richer than mango farmers.
"As a broker, I know little about the farming but I make more money than the farmer," Mutula quoted the broker as having said.
He also pointed out that the 30 per cent market share statistics is just made for the books and not the reality on the ground.
"Makueni is not going to be in statistics any more, we want action taken to ensure the water treatment companies are brought down here for farmers to realise the fruits of their crop like it's done with tea and pyrethrum."
He said mega tea and coffee exhibitions have been held and the same should be replicated for mangoes in Ukambani and all other mango producing areas like Tana River, Kilifi and Meru.
"Makueni produces the best mango which can easily find its way to the European market, all that is needed is a policy and the National Government to put value on our mangoes," Mutula said.
Phyllis Nduva, a local farmer, said that climate change is a real challenge as the flowering time has totally changed.
She said this has fruther been compounded by a poor market and called on the government to heed their cry.
The conference was attended by local farmers ,partners from USAID, WFP, Danida, Cidda and Aggra among others.
Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) representative Cornelius Serem committed to provide a cold room within the county for safe keeping of harvested mangoes.
