Kiambu County farmers have been advised to commercialise their farming to boost incomes and also shun reliance on bank loans.
Speaking in Thika town Tuesday, James Murimi a banker with Equity Bank who is also a farmer, observed that majority of tea farmers in the county rely on bonuses for their children’s school fees.
When there are no bonuses, noted Murimi, the only option left for them are bank loans.
‘Venture into dairy farming, aquaculture and horticulture which if well managed, they are well-paying enterprises. That way, the issue of seeking loans from banks to pay your children’s school fees will be a thing of the past,” he said.
The banker added that in order to enable farmers access a wider market for their produce, they need to be aggressive and attend government sponsored agricultural seminars which he said are essential in trapping markets of various yields.
He advised farmers especially the youth and women to seek cheaper loans from the Uwezo Fund to boost their farming.
“The loan facility offered by the government through Uwezo Fund is trader-friendly as it attracts no interest and does not require collateral,” he advised.
Murimi, however, urged the county government to build at least one modern market in each of the sub-counties within Kiambu to provide a conducive operating environment for the small traders.