The Pyrethrum Growers Association (PGA) has joined Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP) as it seeks to push for value addition and liberalisation in the sector.
PGA National Secretary Joshua Odede said they would push for value-addition by the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, which mainly exports raw pyrethrin now, in order to boost earnings.
Although the board has introduced its own branded aerosols in the market, it has a paltry 5 per cent of the African market as most African countries import finished pyrethrin-based products from Europe.
Farmers have also taken issue with various fee deductions and a per bag transport levy charged by the board.
PGA officials want the board to increase prices of pyrethrum to match other cash crops that are fast invading pyrethrum areas. They want the board to pay them Sh210 ($3.15) per kg of flower with 0.8 per cent pyrethrin content, up from Sh70 ($1.00) that is currently offered, and Sh450 ($6.70) per kg of flower with 2 per cent pyrethrin content, up from sh150 ($2.25).
Recently, former PBK Director Samuel Kihiu warned that the acreage under pyrethrum was facing stiff competition from french beans, which assure farmers of higher and more prompt returns. An agricultural official said that apart from good returns, french beans are fairly resistant to bacterial infections prevalent in the cold environments.
In Naivasha, efforts by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to promote sorghum production to meet the country’s shortfall have eaten into the acreage of pyrethrum in its traditional zones. KARI’s field extension programmes in the last 3 months have assured the farmers that sorghum has a big market and a potential to fetch higher prices in the country, as 90 per cent of Kenya’s sorghum requirement is currently being met through imports.
On its part, PBK has stepped up field extension services to popularise pyrethrum growing. The board’s Managing Director, Pauline Sego, says over 7.5 million seedlings had been distributed to farmers freely to boost the crop’s production.
Last week, Agriculture minister Kipruto arap Kirwa said the government would release Sh663 million ($10 million) for clearing outstanding debts to pyrethrum farmers once Parliament passes the Finance Bill.
Business Daily Africa
To ease your site search, article categories are at bottom of page.
