Kuresoi North potatoes farmers are crying foul over the resurgence of the outlawed 110kg potato packaging rule.
Speaking today at Chematich Shopping Centre, Kiptororo Ward, the angry farmers claimed that brokers have flouted the packing rule.
“The county government recommended a 50kg packaging rule but brokers are packing at 110 kg,” said Henry Kemboi, a farmer in Chematich.
The farmers say that they are now counting losses and potato farming is becoming a burden activity.
“Packing potatoes in 110kg bags is eating our profits. The cost of farm input has shy rocked leaving us with little profit margins,” said Ann Jeptoo, another farmer in the area.
The farmers say they are now living at the mercy of brokers who have taken the advantage of the potato glut to exploit them.
They are now calling at the county government to intervene and force brokers to stick to the 50kg packing rule.
Nakuru chief officer for agriculture Purity Muritu has repeatedly said police and county officials have been instructed to arrest those found packaging or transporting potatoes in excess of the standard 50kg bags.
Muritu says farmers suffer most when potatoes are packaged in extended sacks.
Last year the Nakuru County government approved stringent rules aimed at regulating packaging of potatoes in smaller quantities to reduce exploitation of farmers by middlemen.