Potato Farmers in Kenya Want Packaging Law Changed

Potato growing counties want the international labour laws on packaging applied.

During a recent meeting of governors and county representatives from 14 counties in Nakuru (Kenya) on irish potato production, packaging and marketing, it was resolved that from January 2014, farmers should pack their produce in not more than 50kg bags.

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua said that is the requirement of the international labour laws.

The officials and stake- holders said the 2005 and 2008 gazette notice 33, which requires potatoes to be packed in 110kg bags, should be reviewed.

"The move will be aimed at protecting farmers from exploitation by middle- men. Regulated packaging will create employment for the youth and women in the country,"said Mbugua.

The farmers have also been banned from packing their produce in the extended bags.

"The extended bag leads to a lot of waste and fetches low prices in the market and yet it is the farmers who bear the brunt,"said Nyandarua

Governor Waithaka Mwangi. National Potato Council of Kenya CEO Wachira Kaguongo said the existing inefficient marketing structure is to blame for poor pricing.

Kaguongo said the losses are mainly borne by farmers.