Miraa farmers now have a reason to smile after the release on Tuesday of a task force report at State House, Nairobi.
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the release of Sh1.2 billion upon receiving the Task Force report to implement recommendations to improve the profitability of miraa farming.
Besides the Sh1.2 billion being released for implementing the recommendations, the Government has also allocated another Sh1 billion, in the budget that was presented last week, for promoting the miraa sector.
“The Sh1.2 billion that was allocated will now be released and it will be used in accordance with the recommendations of the task force,” President Kenyatta said.
Key recommendations
Key among the immediate recommendations of the Miraa Task Force is providing seed capital for farmers to access affordable credit.
This is aimed at redemption of leased miraa farms to break the cycle of poverty. The Government will facilitate the setting up of SACCOs so that farmers can access the credit in an organised manner
The government will also set up a scientific study at KEMRI in collaboration with the EU with a view of developing a scientific basis for getting the restrictions lifted on the crop in parts of Europe.
Another immediate recommendation is the registration of miraa farmers to facilitate target intervention and eliminate possibility of fraud.
The report also says a farmer-controlled agency styled along the lines of similar agencies for other crops should be formed.
Establishment of Miraa Research Institute (M.R.I) and support for research on the development of various new miraa products and utilisations is another of the immediate recommendations.
Last month, Britain announced the ban on khat (miraa) imports from Kenya will not be lifted.
However, the British High Commissioner to Nairobi, Mr Nic Hailey explained the UK government will support initiatives on alternative livelihoods in Meru where the mild stimulant is produced.