Traders face fines, jail over breach of potato packaging regulations
ANNE MWALE- KNA
The State has warned of dire consequences for those contravening the Irish Potato Regulations, 2019.The regulations re quire traders to package the crop in 50-kilogram bags.
The State Department of Agriculture and Live stock warned that those caught violating the rules will be prosecuted and risk being fined Sh500,000 or jailed for a year.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Ronoh stated that enforcement of the regulations is designed to protect farmers from unscrupulous traders. Addressing potato farmers in Nyota Ward, Kuresoi North Sub County, Dr. Ronoh declared that the maxi mum weight for a single package of Irish pota toes must be 50 kilo grams.
He indicated that growers and dealers of Irish potatoes must use a weighing scale that has been properly cal ibrated, serviced, in spected and approved by the Ministry for the time being responsible for trade.
The regulations are aimed at cushioning the farmer from un scrupulous traders who buy potatoes cheaply in the extended bags commonly known as ‘dusura’, then go to the market and repackage them into smaller units, from which they make a killing when they sell.
Despite the Crop (Irish Potato) Regulations 2019 rules re quiring that potatoes be packed in 50 kilo gramme bags, middle men take advantage of the glut and exploit farmers by forcing them to pack the produce in 100-180 kilogramme bags for almost the same price as the 50-kilo gramme bag.
“We are particularly keen on implementing the 50-kilogramme rule to ensure unscrupulous brokers do not continue exploiting farmers by continued use of the excessive packaging techniques famously called Dusura.
“Previously, potato packaging had no definite weight thereby exposing farmers to exploitation and black mail from unscrupulous dealers,” he said.
The Principal Secretary who was flanked by Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Dr Bruno Linyiru and Nakuru Deputy Governor Mr David Kones, noted that the enforcement is expected to help re claim up to 50 per cent of farmer earnings currently lost due to inefficient packaging practices.
He highlighted the plight of farmers who have suffered at the hands of unscrupulous dealers, underscoring the government’s com mitment to protect their interests.
“Strict adherence to these regulations is crucial for empowering farmers and ensuring they receive fair returns for their labour. Brokers are the major obstacle to adherence to the law as they ask farmers not to package the farm produce as required. We will safeguard both farmers and traders,” Dr Ronoh said.
The Principal Secretary further pledged that the national gov ernment will construct a cold storage facility in Kuresoi North Sub County.
The facility, he added, is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, a major challenge for po tato farmers. Nakuru is the second largest producer of the crop in Kenya account ing for 18.9 per cent of national production.