The government has encouraged farmers and agro-processors in Trans Nzoia County to embrace the services offered by the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) to fully exploit the envisaged benefits under the new system.
Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Mrs. Phanice Khatundi, made the appeal at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Kitale depot, where she addressed the media on Tuesday.
She stressed that the Warehouse Receipt System was among the several initiatives being put in place by both national and devolved units whose ultimate goal was to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
Blaming unscrupulous brokers for exploiting hard-working farmers’ efforts, Khatundi hailed the WRS initiative, saying it provides adequate facilities and mechanisms that enable farmers to store agricultural produce and thereafter obtain receipted documents, which are tradable in the market.
“The system aims to help the farmers get the best prices for their products while reducing post-harvest losses that stem from inadequate storage facilities,” reiterated Khatundi.
The CEC reminded farmers that the WRS helps them gain access to affordable credit facilities from approved lending institutions “as farmers wait for supply and demand forces to stabilize market prices before disposing of their crops at improved profits, thus avoiding post-harvest losses,” she added.
She assured members of the public of the devolved unit’s commitment toward ensuring adequate and efficient storage facilities under the WRS programme.
“Governor George Natembeya has prioritized, among his key agendas, putting an end to the exploitation of brokers and post-harvest losses within the agricultural industry,” the CEC told journalists.
“This will not only contribute to the growth of the local economy but also strengthen food security by reducing waste and ensuring that fresh, healthy products are available to consumers,” she added.
In January last year, the government officially unveiled the Warehouse Receipt System at a national event presided over by the former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Mr. Peter Munya, at Kitale’s NCPB stores.
Addressing farmers, representatives of various stakeholders, and development partners at the colourful event, the former CS hailed the initiative, saying if well implemented, it would effectively address several of the challenges faced by grain and livestock farmers in the country.
“The WRS will help alleviate the problems of poverty and food insecurity in Kenya by reducing post-harvest losses, which represent 40 per cent of the food produced in the country,” remarked Munya, who, in addition, said the system would also address price exploitation by unscrupulous middlemen.
By Maurice Aluda
