The County Government of Nakuru has promised to enforce the law to curb the exploitation of carrot growers by middlemen.
Dr Immaculate Maina, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, said most farmers of the crop were not tapping its maximum potential because they were not members of cooperatives.
Dr Maina, who spoke in Mau Narok when she visited Mau View Sacco Carrot farmers said that the county government was in talks with the national government and development partners to help farmers avoid post-harvest loses through the establishment of cold rooms and carrot value addition factories.
According to the CEC the members of the Sacco export 2,850 bags of carrots per week to neighbouring Uganda, adding that the devolved unit is committed to establishing a regional carrot export market that meets the needs of the East African Community.
Dr Maina also revealed that her department is negotiating with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to fast-track certification of Kihingo Milk plant to enable it to start packaging and marketing of dairy products in Njoro Sub-County.
She pointed out that processing of milk and value addition within the production points will greatly reduce losses incurred between farmers and processors.
The CEC observed this will go a long way in assisting the traceability and branding of the milk by a processor in the market.
Dr Maina said the County department of Agriculture is formulating policies to protect and promote the development of the dairy industry.
She further observed that that carrots farmed in the county had a huge unmet demand in Marikiti, and Kongowea markets in Nairobi and Mombasa respectively, and advised farmers to stick to export rules and regulations so as to penetrate regional and international markets.
The CEC affirmed that the county government is committed to saving farmers from poor markets by helping them harvest quality agricultural products.
“Farmers must ensure that only quality carrots are produced and marketed. Harvesting and export of immature crops negatively affect Kenya’s image in overseas markets.
Farmers willing to export their products should have valid licenses and be registered as exporters or else their produce will be impounded at border points,” Dr Maina observed.