The government has announced a commitment to allocate Ksh 500 million to miraa and muguka farmers in the 2024/25 financial year, aiming to enhance value addition for these crops.
Following discussions with leaders from Embu County and stakeholders concerning the recent ban on muguka, President William Ruto emphasized the importance of advancing farming practices for miraa and muguka. He highlighted the need for improvements in farming, aggregation, grading, pricing, packaging, and overall value addition.
“The future of these crops lies in scaling up farming and enhancing the entire value chain. For this reason, the government has committed to allocate Ksh 500 million in the 2024/25 financial year for value addition of these scheduled crops,” said President Ruto.
This announcement came after Mombasa and Kilifi counties imposed a total ban on the transportation, distribution, sale, and use of muguka. The ban was a response to growing concerns over the adverse effects of the stimulant on the youth.
In a bid to regulate the trade and consumption of miraa and muguka, the Governors of Mombasa and Embu counties agreed to form a committee. This committee will address the contentious issues surrounding the trade and consumption of these crops.
The government’s financial commitment is seen as a move to support farmers and ensure sustainable practices in the miraa and muguka industries, ultimately aiming to mitigate the negative impacts associated with the stimulant’s consumption.
