Miraa task force to source new markets

Miraa taskforce to source new markets

Over two decades ago, Maua town in Igembe South constituency in Meru County was booming with business activities, thanks to the growth and sale of khat or miraa as it’s commonly referred to.

The United Kingdom had offered a major market for Miraa exports from Kenya until it placed a controversial ban on the crop in June 2014.

This left many farmers like Isaiah Leyan a devastated lot.

“In 2008 when we used to work on our farms and sell our miraa to London, all was well, I can remember. We were earning a lot but now it is all too painful for me”, Mr Leyan said.

Nahashan Kubai, who blames the U.K for using flimsy grounds to ban the crop, shares his frustrations.

“I want the government to intervene and intervene fast. no one can stop us from selling miraa, because it does not have any harmful effects,” he said.

But a solution to the crisis facing miraa farmers in the country could be identified if the strategies employed by a fifteen-member taskforce are anything to go by.

The taskforce gazzetted by President Uhuru Kenyatta in April will be chaired by Geoffrey M’mwenda and deputized by Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Richard Lesiyampe.

Other members of the team include Mweria Joseph Miriti, Kinyua Geoffrey John, Kilemi Lucy Nkirote, Rimbere Peter Kinyua and Karumpu Rodgers among others.

Apart from markets, the team will also be tasked with research on miraa agronomy, variety improvement and product valuation.

Already efforts to create or rather increase a local market for the crop is slowly taking shape in the country as students explore ways of value adding the crop to make it appeal to everyone.

Kevin Muchangi , a graduate from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, JKUAT, has began tests on value adding miraa by making miraa juice and jam.

An estimated half a million farmers depend on miraa cultivation for their livelihood.

“We should ask ourselves also where are the new markets of this crop. We should come up with initiatives and support activities that benefit miraa farmers,” Agriculture cabinet secretary Willy Bett said.