Potato farmers from Elgeyo Marakwet are grappling with frustration due to a sharp decline in potato prices, all while contending with soaring production costs.
These farmers are pointing fingers at intermediaries for causing the distressing drop in potato prices. They claim that middlemen have descended upon their farms with manipulative sacks and trucks, effectively dictating the prices of their produce.
Expressing their concerns, the farmers bemoan how a mere month ago, a 50-kg bag of Irish potatoes could fetch them Sh2,500. Regrettably, that figure has now plummeted to a meager Sh500.
Cheruiyot, one of the farmers, voiced their collective sentiment, saying, “We’ve been cornered by these brokers. As farmers, we’re at their mercy as they control both the market access and the flow of capital.”
He went on to criticize the county government for not establishing a standardized selling framework, which has allowed middlemen to wield unchecked power. “Although brokers are a burden for us, they do offer immediate financial relief, which forces many of us to reluctantly comply with their demands,” he observed.
A significant challenge worsening the farmers’ situation is the geographical hurdle. The main market for their produce, Eldoret, is situated far from their farms. Consequently, transportation issues plague these farmers, making them vulnerable to the exploitative tactics of unscrupulous brokers.
These intermediaries, in turn, cherry-pick the highest quality yields, leaving the rest to rot in the fields. This wastage further contributes to the mounting financial losses suffered by the farmers.
Several farmers, interviewed by KNA, admitted to acceding to brokers’ demands out of sheer desperation. They’re burdened with numerous financial obligations, such as school fees and medical expenses.
Against this backdrop, the farmers are calling upon the county government’s Agriculture Department to step in. They’re urging authorities to take charge of directly marketing their produce, thereby sidelining brokers from the potato business and offering a solution to their plight.
