GACHAGUA takes the first action over RUTO’s punitive tax on farmers after public uproar – Look!

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken the first step regarding President William Ruto’s punitive Farm Produce Tax after he scheduled a meeting with Avocado farmers' representatives to iron out issues in the sector.

The meeting comes after stakeholders and farmers raised concerns over a flurry of issues, including the newly proposed Farm Produce Tax.

Speaking in Embu County, Gachagua revealed that the meeting will provide a comprehensive engagement on issues affecting the sub-sector and improve the fortunes of farmers. 

"I have convened a meeting between Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture (Mithika Linturi) and officials of avocado farmers to address the issues affecting the farmers and find the way forward," Gachagua told the congregation.

He further noted that the meeting was in response to the fruit farmers' call for interventions for better income and expansion of the global market for Kenyan produce. 

According to the DP, agricultural reforms are being carried out across several sectors, including avocado, coffee, tea, dairy, macadamia, muguka, and horticulture.

Earlier, farmers across the board had lamented the proposed Farm Produce Tax as a factor likely to contribute to diminishing their returns.

A section of lawmakers had insisted that they would not support the new tax noting that it will affect the farmers, most of whom rely on Agriculture to make ends meet.

The Kenyan DAILY POST