Kenya Farmers Association Director Kipkorir Arap Menjo addressing the press in Eldoret town on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 [Photo: Elvanis Ronoh]
Kenya Farmers Association Director Kipkorir Arap Menjo has said farmers are tired of being played by the government, despite working very hard to feed the nation.
"We want the national government through the Ministry of Agriculture to compensate us by giving us a fair price of Sh4,000 instead of Sh3,200," he added.
He reiterated that if nothing is done, they will do away with maize farming and start fish farming, which is now paying well.
Menjo called upon the National government to put in practice the Maputo declaration Act of 2002, where it was agreed that the Agricultural sector in every African country to be allocated at least 10 percent of the National budget.
"It is sad that despite Agriculture being the backbone of Kenya's economy it is only given 3 percent of the nation's budget. If nothing is done Kenya will be food insecure," noted Menjo.
This comes after the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Willy Bett announced that the government will be buying maize from farmers at sh 3,200 per 90 Kg bag.