- He opines that for the government to make farming profitable they must institute universal tax exemption for all farm produce.
- Wa Iria said it's time the taxation burden is taken off their shoulders as it's robbing farmers of the profits they deserve.
Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has urged the government to exempt all farmers from paying taxes for farm produce.
The Usawa Kwa Wote party leader while addressing the press in a Murang'a hotel.
He said that tea and coffee farmers have been burdened by the taxes they pay for the crops.
He opines that for the government to make farming profitable they must institute universal tax exemption for all farm produce.
He said this happens while other farmers producing crops like maize are exempted from paying taxes.
Wa Iria said it's time the taxation burden is taken off their shoulders as it's robbing farmers of the profits they deserve.
"Farmers have been short-changed for far too long and it's time the two crops are exempted from the heavy taxation to achieve a level playing ground for all farmers," he said.
"If you compare tea and coffee and the other products from the farm, those are the ones that are taxed. A corn farmer cultivates one million acres, produces about 30 thousand bags, sells and keeps all the money. There is no tax, not even one shilling."
He, however, applauded the government for its commitment to smoke out brokers from the agricultural sector.