Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago (c) with his deputy Daniel Chemno (left) and Soy MP Caleb Kositany at Tuigoin in Trans Nzoia county on January 12, 2018. [Photo: Joe Khisa]
Political leaders from the two agricultural counties in the North Rift region have petition the national government to waive millions of shillings in loans owed to the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) by cereal farmers.
Led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Caleb Kositany (Soy) and Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), the leaders said farmers incurred heavy losses following various challenges during last year's season and cannot be able to clear the loans.
Speaking at Tuigoin village in Cherangany constituency, Trans Nzoia county on Friday, the leaders said waiving the AFC loans will enable farmers to plant this season.
"We ask that the government waive loans that farmers owe AFC because last year there was drought and fall armyworms invasion that drastically reduced production," noted Mandago.
"Keeping in considerations all those factors together with high production cost, it is evident that farmers cannot be able to pay those loans as even now they are facing challenges preparing for a planting season ahead," he added.
It is estimated that maize and wheat farmers in the North Rift, the country's food basket owe AFC over sh500 million in loans.Ends