Farmers in Kajiado have been asked to be cautious while buying hay to avoid falling prey to rogue businessmen selling substandard hay that is poisonous.
Kajiado Hay Growers Co-operative Society now says that some of the rogue cartels are selling hay intoxicated with high levels of chemicals that might be hazardous to animals.
"It is very important for farmers to be careful while buying animal feeds especially hay. We have discovered a new trend of businessmen selling remains of rice duping farmers that is special grass. We also have hay harvested within sewerage area. The feeds is likely to have high levels of chemicals that are dangerous to animal health, "Paul Nchake, the cooperative secretary said.
He also urged farmers to keep proper record of the hay they buy to ensure it can easily be tracked.
This comes in the wake of a lucrative hay business in the region that is experiencing prolonged dry periods.
The county government of Kajiado waived taxes of transporting and selling hay in an effort to cushion suffering farmers.
In a letter dated July 1, 2022, the county through the County Executive Committee member in charge of agriculture Jackline Koin said the move is intended to lower prices of hay to make it much affordable to farmers.
Currently a bail of 12kgs hay retails between Ksh300 and Ksh350.
