By George Munene
Miraa farmers from Embu and Mbeere have received Sh48 million from the ministry of agriculture. This will form part of a revolving fund allowing farmers under the Embu-Miraa Farmers Cooperative Union access to cheap credit at three per cent per annum. This is meant to cushion miraa traders who have been adversely affected by the disruption of the Kenya-Somalia miraa export corridor.
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At a cheque handing over ceremony held at Siakago Grounds, Embu County, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives CS Peter Munya assured the farmers that the monies are already in their union’s coffers and are readily available to them.
The grant forms part of the Miraa Infrastructure Support Project, a government-helmed initiative aimed at revitalizing the Miraa value Chain. This has been evident through construction of five earth dams, two boreholes, and seven market sheds, all meant to aid miraa farmers.
“We realise that the miraa market is currently in a downturn and its farmers are suffering. Farmers now have a facility from which they can borrow money as they await for their miraa to be sold,”
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CS Munya who was accompanied by Agriculture Chief Administrative Secretary Anne Nyaga, CS Munya promised to increase the fund if it is appropriately used.