The Nakuru county government has encouraged carrot farmers to join co-operative societies to get better prices for their produce. This advice came after farmers in Mau Narok complained that traders were buying carrots at low prices despite the high cost of production.
George Muthega, a farmer in Subati, said they were selling a 150-kg bag of carrots for Sh1,000 instead of Sh2,000 (€8.80 instead of €17.59 ).
Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Executive Immaculate Maina said the problem was the result of an inefficient supply chain for perishable farm produce. The beneficiaries, Ms Maina noted, were mostly business people.
Farmers told The Standard that middlemen were selling the carrots in neighbouring counties for Sh3,500 a bag (€30.79). Other farmers claimed some unscrupulous brokers were demanding that they pack the carrots in 350-kg extended bags.
Dr Maina, however, said it was possible for the farmers to end the exploitation: “There are two cooperative saccos in Mau Narok that support the production and sale of carrots, among other farm produce. We need the cooperatives to speak in the same voice to handle this issue,” she said.
