Kenya forms national committee to stabilize miraa prices, expand Somali exports
Source: Hiiraan Online, Thursday October 17, 2024
Freshly harvested miraa (khat) bundled and prepared for export. miraa is a key cash crop for farmers in Kenya, particularly in Meru and Embu counties, and is widely exported to Somalia, the region’s largest market.
NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Kenya has launched a new pricing committee to tackle the declining prices of miraa or khat, as it’s known in Somalia, a key cash crop for thousands of farmers, focusing on expanding exports to Somalia, the largest buyer of Kenyan miraa. The committee is tasked with stabilizing the prices of miraa and muguka, ensuring that farmers who have suffered from low returns can see better profits.
The nine-member committee, housed under the Agricultural and Food Authority (AFA), will include representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade, alongside officials from miraa and muguka associations. James Mithika, a veteran in the agricultural sector, has been appointed as the chairperson of the committee.
Mithika outlined the committee’s mandate, which includes determining fair prices for miraa and muguka based on production costs, while exploring new markets to reduce Kenya’s dependency on Somalia as its sole external buyer. “This committee was formed in response to the long-standing concerns of farmers who are not earning enough to sustain themselves despite their significant investments in cultivation,” Mithika said.
Somalia remains the largest importer of Kenyan miraa, with demand reaching between 50 and 60 tons per day. However, current exports fall far short of this demand, with only five licensed exporters managing to supply between five and 10 tons per day. This imbalance has significantly limited the potential earnings of Kenyan farmers, making it crucial for the committee to find solutions that improve export capacity and reach.
“We cannot rely solely on Somalia for our exports,” Mithika emphasized. “While Somalia remains a critical partner, we must also look to diversify our market options to ensure stable and sustainable prices for our farmers.”
The committee also plans to address logistical challenges in miraa transportation. Currently, miraa is airlifted to Somalia, but Mithika proposes expanding transport options to include road and sea routes.
In Meru County’s Igembe region alone, approximately 125,000 households depend on miraa farming, supporting an estimated 625,000 people. Farmers say they have seen little return on their investment despite the labour-intensive process involved in cultivating miraa and muguka, which includes land preparation, soil treatment, pruning, and crop protection.
The committee will visit miraa-growing counties to calculate production costs and set fair prices, which the government will be urged to enforce.