ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE WORRIED OVER CROP ACT

Nov 26, 2014 William Adoyo Kisumu, News, Regional 0

Siaya Assembly Committee worried over Crop Act. The Agricultural Committee in the County Assembly of Siaya has raised concern over the recently introduced Crop Act 2013 that seeks to have farmers license all the crops they grow.

Led by the Chairman Mr. Joseph Agoko, the members stated that the Crop Act is retrogressive and will only inconvenience farmers other than to add any value to their economic growth.

He said that it is not acceptable for locals to be subjected to paying for license on crops such as maize, sorghum, maize, beans, millet, and napier grass among others that have now been classified under scheduled crops.

As the agriculture chair committee we are not happy and condemning the crop act of 2013 in totality that allows a farmer to only plant the crop which is in the category listed, said Agok0.

Speaking to Kisumu News in Siaya Town after a meeting that brought on board various Agricultural stakeholders to review the Crop Act 2013 to find a way forward of helping farmers, Mr. Agoko said that the Act has numerous contentious issues that need to be reviewed.

The Crop Act further requires that locals need to grow certified seeds and whoever will be found growing any other seeds will be liable to a 5 million fine.

It further states that any person who will be found transporting the scheduled crops without any license will be liable to a fine of sh. 2 million or serve a sentence of 5-10 years.

After growing your crop you are not allowed to transport it to another destination by this law, which means that even your relative cannot give some grains to go and use, said Agoko

He vowed to mobilize leaders both at the national and county government to support their intention to contest the Act.