Hundreds of rice farmers in Taveta subcounty, Taita Taveta county, have agreed to join a cooperative society to eliminate brokers and increase their income. This move is seen as a significant step towards bettering the livelihoods of these farmers who have long been exploited by middlemen.
The farmers emphasized that the rice cooperative will play a crucial role in bargaining for better prices and curbing the influence of brokers who have dominated the sector for years. During a meeting with county government officials in Taveta on Wednesday, the farmers underscored the urgent need to eliminate brokers who buy their grain at significantly low prices.
“It is sad that brokers are taking advantage of our disunity to exploit us. Brokers from Tanzania buy our unpolished grain for as low as Sh30 per kilo,” lamented farmer Dismas Kilonzo. He added that the rice is processed and then sold back to the market at exorbitant prices. Besides the low buying prices, Kilonzo mentioned that some brokers take the unprocessed rice on credit, which fuels poverty among farmers. “Sometimes these middlemen go without paying all our money, and this has caused a lot of problems. Time has come for all farmers to be under one umbrella,” he said.
To combat this issue, the farmers have also decided to partner with the Taita Taveta Investment and Development Corporation (TTIDC) for standardized pricing. Farmer Hamza Idd highlighted that many rice farmers have been compelled to sell their produce to brokers and middlemen to pay off debts owed to local lenders. However, Idd noted that the new cooperative and partnership with TTIDC would protect farmers from exploitation by unscrupulous lenders. “Many farmers have taken loans from lenders and shylocks to produce rice. This forces them to sell at low prices to pay back the money,” he explained.
This development coincides with the nearing completion of the area’s rice milling plant. Agriculture executive Kyongo mentioned that the Sh40 million rice factory will be a significant relief for hundreds of farmers who have been selling unpolished rice to brokers. “The factory is nearing completion. It will help farmers produce high-quality rice that meets the standards and preferences of consumers,” Kyongo stated. The rice factory will also produce byproducts such as rice bran and rice husk, which can be used for animal feed and fuel, thereby boosting farmers’ income.
Kyongo added that the department is also assisting farmers in producing high-quality grain and reducing post-harvest losses. “We also want to ensure farmers are consistently assisted, protected and reduce post-harvest losses, eliminate predatory cartels and boost farmer earnings,” he said. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, an estimated 10-15 percent of rice is lost to post-harvest operations in developing countries. These losses are attributed to poor handling, storage, transportation, pests, diseases, and weather.
Additionally, plans are underway to drain excess water at the waterlogged Buruma rice fields. The National Irrigation Authority will undertake the draining exercise to open the area for both large and medium-scale rice farming. The 18,000 acres rice field is the largest rice-growing area in Taveta. The county aims to achieve at least 30,000 acres of rice production annually upon reclaiming the land.
Trade executive Getrude Shuwe stated that TTIDC would buy unpolished rice from farmers at fair prices to boost their income. She mentioned that the county has been losing revenue as farmers continue to languish in poverty due to overexploitation by middlemen. “TTIDC will buy the grain from farmers immediately after harvest. This will help control prices and help farmers reduce losses,” Shuwe said. She added that the department is keen on helping the farmers establish a strong cooperative that will benefit all members.
This collective effort by the farmers and the county government marks a significant milestone in transforming the rice farming sector in Taveta, promising a more prosperous future for the farmers involved.
