CAPTION: A farmer attending his sorghum crop. KBL is planning to recruit more than 15,000 sorghum farmers in Nyanza. [Photo|kuzabiashara.co.ke]
Nyanza Members of Parliament has urged Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) to offer sorghum farmers better terms so as to encourage growing of the crop in the region.
KBL recently announced plans to contract more than 15,000 sorghum farmers to supply raw materials for its Kisumu plant, which is set to begin operations in 2018.
But Ndhiwa legislator Martin Owino and his Karachuonyo counterpart Adipo Okuome said the brewer should not engage middlemen as they exploit farmers.
"We are pushing for better terms for sorghum farmers in the region. KBL need to encourage farmers to grow the crop by offering better prices," said Okuome.
On his part, Owino asked the giant firm to cushion farmers against losses by insuring their crops.
"Provision of farm inputs and insurance of crop shall improve production of sorghum for the plant in the region," the MP said, as quoted by the Nation.
The two lawmakers were speaking during a function in Kisumu on Sunday.