Kenya: Nyandarua warning on potato packaging
Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka said this will ensure vehicles transporting potatoes are made to comply with the new packaging regulations. The law states that potatoes be packed in 50kg bags. People who disobey this provision will be fined Sh500,000 or jailed for one year.
Waithaka said some of the officers collude with unscrupulous traders who still pack the potatoes in 90kg bags.
"Potato accounts for 50 per cent of earnings derived from agriculture. Any attempt to sabotage this law will be resisted strongly by farmers and leaders. We are prepared to take any action to ensure that it is implemented," he said.
Waithaka was addressing the press in his office yesterday. He said the county government will support a bill before the Senate seeking to further regulate the growing and marketing of potatoes through the creation of the proposed Potato Board of Kenya. The board will buy potatoes direct from farmers and store them.
Waithaka said this will ensure farmers sell their potatoes at fair prices.
He urged potato-growing counties to be proactive implementing the law to cushion farmers.
Source: allafrica.com
