Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Kosgei has said the government was facing problems implementing the 50Kg weight limit for farm produce, according to a clause in the Crops Act.
Speaking to over 400 farmers who attended the Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF) AGM in Kikuyu, Kosgei said some farmers and traders were still packing produce in 110-220Kg bags.
Kosgei said the Ministry wrote to all county governments, governors and the inspector general to check that all bags of farm produce were a maximum of 50Kg.
“Farmers, chiefs and the public should report people spotted packing food produce in more than 50Kg bags so they are arrested. The crime attracts a fine of Sh500,000 or an imprisonment,” said Koskei.
He said the government was enforcing the said law in keeping to the international standards that no human being should carry a load more than 50Kg in weight.
The law was also to ensure fair pricing in farm commodities and ensure farmers get value for their money, he added.
The Kenaff AGM was also attended by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa and Kenaff Chairman Nduati Kariuki, who is also Speaker for the Muranga County Assembly.
Nduati presented the problems farmers were facing in the country to Koskei that included tax imposed on sorghum, differing county levies, challenges in tea farming and livestock farming.