Kenya National Farmers Union (KNFU) Uasin Gishu county Representative John Borgei has asked the government to protect farmers from middlemen who exploit them.
Speaking to journalists at Eldoret Town on Sunday, Borgei said that maize and wheat farmers are suffering from exploitation saying county and national governments are doing little to cushion farmers.
“The government should cushion maize, wheat and millet farmers from middle-men who exploit them buy buying their produce at cheaper prices,” he said.
Borgei stated that a section of residents are abandoning farming due to poor prices and lack of market for their produce.
He also asked the government to help farmers market their produce saying that the move will improve production.
The Uasin Gishu farmer’s representative asked the national government to allocate funds to the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) for it to buy maize from farmers. Borgei said that the money should be issued before the harvesting period start in October.
At the same time, the Uasin KNFU representative urged the county government to sensitise farmers on new farming methods. He observed that some farmers are using traditional methods of farming.
“The Uasin Government and stakeholders should sensitise farmers on the new farming techniques so that production can increase,” he said.
In an interview with journalists on Saturday in his office, County Agriculture Executive Cyril Cheruiyot asked residents to embrace modern farming technology.
Cheruiyot said that farmers will be trained and sensitised on the techniques which he said will improve production if adopted.