Hundreds of Gatundu North farmers in Kiambu County have received over 5,000 macadamia seedlings aimed at helping them increase production, boost Kenya’s economy and increase the forest cover.
The seedlings, issued by hopeful Kiambu governor Patrick Wainaina who is also the incumbent MP for Thika Town, will go a long way in helping the impoverished farmers boost their incomes owing to the high productivity and value of their produce.
According to the farmers, the macadamia crop will remain valuable to them as a source of income for at least 100 years.
While pointing out that they would commercialize the crop to earn extra income, the farmers rooted for value addition activities related to the crop in a bid to enable them to shift from subsistence farming.
Gatundu farmers empowered
Speaking at Gachege shopping centre where the distribution happened, the Gatundu farmers termed the donation as a major source of empowerment saying that instead of politicians giving them hundreds in handouts, they should instead embrace empowerment programs that can add significant value to their lives.
“We are happy that today we got a different thing from the handouts we have been receiving from farmers. These seedlings will remain in memory as another form of income which will last for years,” Ann Ndung’u, a farmer said.
They took issue with unscrupulous traders who they said have been amassing riches through avocado and macadamia exports at the expense of their toil and urged the government to intervene to help them make better returns.
The hopeful governor who was accompanied by his running mate Anna Nyokabi urged the farmers to disregard all forms of middlemen and instead sell their harvests to legit companies directly for better earnings.
“Our farmers are struggling to make ends meet despite having very fertile land and going out of their way to farm. Brokers have been the greatest block for farmers to live decent lives. Like it used to be years ago, we will restore the glory of farmers,” Wainaina said.
