Nahashon Gitau farms almost three hectares about a ninety-minute drive from Nairobi. He says he regrets that he wastes at least twenty-five percent of his harvest while other Kenyans are hungry.
NAHASHON GITAU: "It is for the government to make some arrangements -- perhaps even give transport. Then, they can buy it at a good price, then give it to those people instead of asking for food from overseas, which is very bad. When we are throwing away food, they are asking for food from overseas."
Economists say the imports reduce local food prices, decrease productivity and increase dependency among the people.
Mr. Gitau says if he could receive higher prices for his crops, he could feed more Kenyans.
NAHASHON GITAU: "From my farm, I would perhaps sell every season, say, one hundred bags of potatoes, and perhaps ten thousand heads of cabbages, say, three times in a year. I can manage that product. And I have got some other farmers who can do even better than me."
Kinangop District officer Peninnih Dzombo explained why local governments have not taken action.
PENINNIH DZOMBO: "In our department, in most cases we usually work through reports and all that. So it depends on who will read the report. But we have not made the effort to have it like a priority that we want A, B, C, D addressed.”
Ms. Dzombo says her office does not get enough money from the central government to improve roads and take other steps to help farmers reach markets.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25