Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has expressed strong concerns over significant budget cuts to the agriculture sector, promising to use parliamentary procedures to restore the slashed funds. Among the key areas affected, he highlighted the Coffee Cherry Fund, which reportedly had Ksh.1 billion deducted, a move he argues will undermine efforts to support farmers in accessing affordable credit.
Speaking during a launch event in Gatagua where new coffee drying equipment was unveiled, Nyoro criticized the Treasury for sidelining farmers through these budget reductions. He explained that the Coffee Cherry Fund plays a crucial role in enabling farmers to borrow money at lower interest rates, thereby avoiding the burden of expensive debts. The fund also helps farmers repay loans taken in previous years, providing vital financial relief and stability.
Nyoro expressed concern that the cuts in this fund and others will force farmers to rely on costly credit facilities, putting their livelihoods at risk. He emphasized that every financial year, the government allocates resources to help farmers manage and repay agricultural loans, ensuring continuity in support. The reduction of these funds threatens to disrupt this cycle and increase the financial strain on farming communities.
Beyond the Coffee Cherry Fund, Nyoro also pointed to drastic reductions in other crucial agricultural programs. Notably, the fertilizer subsidy program was slashed by Ksh.7 billion, a decision he strongly condemned. Fertilizer subsidies are essential in helping farmers afford inputs that boost crop yields and overall productivity. The cut in funding could negatively impact agricultural output and food security.
Nyoro lamented that these budget decisions do not reflect a supportive approach towards farmers, particularly when the agricultural sector remains a backbone of the country’s economy and rural livelihoods. However, he assured that since the budget process is still ongoing, efforts would be made within parliamentary structures to restore these funds to their rightful allocations. He expressed a firm commitment to champion the interests of farmers and ensure the necessary financial resources are made available to sustain agricultural development.
The launch event in Gatagua was also a celebration of progress, marking five years since the establishment of the local coffee farmers’ cooperative. To better reflect its expanded role, the cooperative was rebranded from Gatagua Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society to Gatagua Agro Marketing Farmers Cooperative Society. This new identity symbolizes a broader focus on not just coffee but diverse agricultural marketing and support activities.
During the event, Nyoro inaugurated several new facilities aimed at enhancing coffee processing and security for farmers. These included modern coffee dryers designed to improve the quality and efficiency of coffee preparation, a state-of-the-art security system featuring a watchtower and CCTV cameras to safeguard the cooperative’s assets, and a new digital weighing system to ensure transparency and accuracy in measuring coffee produce.
The introduction of these facilities demonstrates ongoing efforts to modernize the local coffee industry and empower farmers with better tools and infrastructure. Improved processing equipment can lead to higher quality coffee, which in turn can fetch better prices in the market, directly benefiting farmers’ incomes.
Nyoro’s statements highlight the growing concern within the agricultural community about the government’s budget priorities. While infrastructure and modernization efforts are being made at the cooperative level, the cuts in vital sector funding threaten to undermine overall progress by limiting farmers’ access to affordable credit and subsidies.
The MP’s commitment to challenge the budget decisions signals a push for greater support to agriculture, reflecting the sector’s critical role in Kenya’s economy and food security. With ongoing negotiations, there remains hope that some of the funds will be reinstated, ensuring farmers continue to receive the financial backing needed to sustain and grow their operations.
