Members of Homa Bay County Assembly have called for the development of a policy framework to protect rice value chain within Kimira-Oluch irrigation scheme, citing concerns over the loss of economic benefits to external traders and middlemen.
Speaking at the county assembly, Kagan Ward MCA David Hamilton, emphasized the critical role of the scheme in enhancing food security, creating employment opportunities, and boosting agricultural production in the county.
Hamilton noted that the success of rice farming depends on a robust value chain encompassing production, aggregation, milling, processing, value addition, and marketing.
However, he expressed concern that traders and cartels often purchase rice after harvesting and transport it outside the county for processing before selling it back to local consumers at a higher price.
According to the MCA, the practice robs local millers, aggregators, and other stakeholders of opportunities to benefit from the rice industry.
He warned that the continued export of unprocessed rice undermines the economic potential of the irrigation scheme and limits employment creation, revenue generation, and industrial growth within Homa Bay County.
Hamilton further informed that there is currently no specific policy framework dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the rice value chain in the county.
He highlighted increasing challenges facing rice farmers in areas served by the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme, including Kagan, Kochia, Central Karachuonyo, and Kibiri wards.
The MCA further urged the county government to formulate a policy that would expand land under rice cultivation, eliminate cartels in the sector and strengthen the rice value chain.
Supporting these, Lambwe Ward MCA Sophie Salim emphasized that a comprehensive policy would help regulate the rice market and protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen.
“Middlemen often buy rice immediately after harvest, process it elsewhere, and later sell the finished product back to local consumers at higher prices. Their role should be properly regulated to ensure farmers receive fair returns for their produce,” she said.
She added that if approved, the proposed policy is expected to benefit farmers, traders, transporters, millers, and consumers by ensuring that more value generated from rice production is retained within the county’s agricultural sector.
The matter has since been referred to the Agriculture Committee, which has been tasked with conducting further investigations and preparing a report for consideration by the assembly.
The committee’s findings are expected to guide the formulation of a policy aimed at protecting rice farming and enhancing the sustainability of the Kimira-Oluch Irrigation Scheme.
by Barasa Irene and Sitna Omar
