Potato farmers in Subukia Sub-County have asked Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua to ensure the law that regulates packaging of potatoes is implemented to the letter.
Speaking at Kabazi Trading Centre, the farmers complained that potato brokers have continued to oppress them by packaging their produce beyond the recommended 50 kilogrammes per bag.
David Kimani said that the buyers have reverted to packaging in bags that carry more than 100 kilos.
“I had no choice considering that the potato variety (Shangi) is very perishable if it is not harvested on time. Though it matures fast, a farmer cannot keep it for long. Despite the packaging and poor prices, I chose to sell my produce rather than wait and incur more losses,” he said.
Currently, a bag of potato is going for between Sh800 and Sh1,000. When there is a glut, this price fluctuates between Sh400 and Sh 600.
“I am appealing to Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and his county government to protect potato farmers from middlemen as they make little or no profit from their farming. There is need to standardise the packaging bags and control prices,” said John Njihia, a potato farmer from Kabazi.
Njihia added that some middlemen use bags used for packaging sugar or fertiliser or those made of sisal which are bigger compared to the plastic bags.
“We want the county government, if it has the interest of farmers at heart to protect them from middlemen by arresting and charging them for disrespecting the law. For how long are we going to suffer because of some unscrupulous people? Governor Mbugua, listen to the cries of potato farmers,” Mwangi said.