Livelihoods of thousands of rice farmers in the expansive Western Kenya Schemes now hangs in the balance as a result of lack of market for the harvested rice.
Ahero Irrigation Scheme Revolving Fund Secretary Jack Ongere says the importation of cheap rice from Pakistan is putting the lives of rice traders in the scheme at risk.
Ongere revealed that wholesalers from the neighboring countries like Uganda who used to frequent the scheme to purchase the rice in large scale have also fled.
He said their departure had led to a tremendous a reduction of rice prices from Sh3,500 to Sh2,700.
‘’ There are several sacks of rice piled up in stores and unless nothing is done then this hardworking farmers face a bleak future,” he said.
Ongere appealed to the government to control importation of rice and charge local supermarkets to buy local rice in order to save rice farming that is now at cross roads.
Speaking at the irrigation scheme, Ongere said they are also alarmed by the number of middlemen who turn up during harvesting period to swindle heard earned cash from farmers.
Ongere appealed to the Kisumu County Government through the assembly to enact bills that will protect farmers against such exploitation.