Gov’t reforms in agriculture sector bearing fruit, says Ruto
President William Ruto says reforms in the agriculture sector are yielding results, with farmers across the country reaping the benefits.
Speaking during an interdenominational prayer service at Kapngetik grounds in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, the President cited the reduction in farm input prices, particularly fertiliser, as a key driver of increased food production.
“I want to thank farmers for their hard work, which has enabled us to produce 50 per cent more food for our citizens than in 2022, making Kenya food secure,” President Ruto said.
He, however, asked maize farmers to double their efforts in an effort to produce more through sufficient and efficient application of fertiliser.
“I am confident we can get 20 to.25 bags of maize an acre if we apply one and half or even two bags of fertiliser per acre,” he explained.
In the coffee sector, the President noted the essential reforms in regard to licensing, milling, and buying, saying these have eliminated cartels who had frustrated farmers’ efforts.
“We have ensured no one individual or company becomes a farmer, a miller, a broker, and a buyer all at the same time,” he said.
He pointed out that coffee farmers were now selling their cherry at between Ksh110 and Ksh150 up from an average of Ksh50 and Ksh60 in 2022.
The President added that payment delays that were common in the past have been ended with coffee cooperatives being paid five days after selling their coffee.
Consequently, President Ruto said coffee societies should pay farmers in 10 days after the sale of the crop, noting that companies have to make their payments as quickly as possible.
Reforms at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, the President explained, have included giving the Capital Markets Authority a role in ensuring fairness.
On sugar, the President said farmers and workers were being paid promptly with the former enjoying a bonus for the first time.
“We have just imported a small fraction of sugar. Soon, we will start exporting sugar because of improved production, courtesy of our reforms,” the President pointed out.
At the same time, President Ruto said sweeping reforms are being introduced in the dairy sector.
“These reforms are putting dairy farmers, especially those who are customers at New KCC, at the centre of milk processing and eventually making them managers of the factories,” President Ruto said.
He pointed out that it was unfair to farmers that a packet of milk sells at KSh120, while one litre of fresh milk sells at KSh50.
Meanwhile, the President said it was the responsibility of everyone to ensure that children are protected from those who want to drag them to immorality and hate.
Likewise, the President said those casting doubts on his activities will be ashamed of their deeds.
“Those claiming that what we promised Kenyans would not be achieved will be ashamed,” he said.
On universal healthcare, President Ruto urged Kenyans to ignore those spreading propaganda that the Social Health Authority programme is not working.
“I made my commitment that we would change National Hospital Insurance Fund to a better scheme. That’s what I am doing. SHA will work 10 times better than NHIF,” he said.
He praised county governments, which have embraced SHA, saying their claims are continuously being processed.