Economy

Farmers push for quality pyrethrum seedlings

pyrethrum

Farmers harvest pyrethrum flowers in Molo. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Pyrethrum farmers have asked counties to set aside funds for the purchase of certified planting materials as one way of pulling back growers who have dumped the crop.

Farmers based in Nakuru, Narok and Nyandarua said a lack of clean planting materials was the biggest hindrance in the revival of the once lucrative sector.

“Pyrethrum is one cash crop that can drastically reduce poverty and create jobs for thousands of youths if the county government give it a financial boost,” said Julius Njogu a farmer in Nyandarua.
Agriculture is a devolved function.

The farmers said proper funding of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK), which has farms countrywide, could boost the propagation of new planting materials.

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“PPCK has hundreds of acres in Nyandarua and Nakuru, which if well utilised, could be used as nurseries for multiplying planting materials to be sold to farmers at a subsidised price,” said Mr Njogu.

He said the processor should pay farmers regularly and ensure the planting materials are readily available to woo more growers.

Mr Njogu urged the government to help appoint a new board of directors at PPCK, saying the delay was hurting the revival process.

Simon Poror, a Narok-based farmer, said he had abandoned the crop because of non-payment but since PPCK started paying farmers their arrears, he had resumed cultivation pyrethrum.

“Many farmers are willing to go back to their farms and plant the crop and the county governments should reciprocate this gesture by providing farmers with subsidised planting materials,” he said.