KENYA : President William Ruto, has lauded his administration for delivering on it's promise to Dairy farmers, by Ensuring no farmer in the country is under-compensated.
The Head of State, Speaking on Tuesday December 17, 2024, in Baringo County, as he officiated the Opening of the Annual Kimalel Goat Auction, stated his Administration deserves more clapping for, stating that negativity from those opposed to his leadership, has clouded it's achievements.
Ruto, stated that his administration's efforts have seen Dairy Farmers in the East African Country take home a good pay at the end of each month, following his Kenya-Kwanza administration directive.
According to the Head of State, the Kenya Creameries (KCC) has been Paying Farmers at the End of each month for the Last Six Month, unlike Previously when a Farmer had to Wait for two to Six Months before their Accounts were credited.
The President However, in What Seemed like a Slip of the Tongue, President Ruto alleged KCC has been paying Dairy Farmers in the Country, Ksh 50,000 for a litre of Milk.
"During the Previous administration, a farmer had to wait for 2 to 5 Months in order to be paid by KCC, but for the last 6 Months, KCC has been paying on time" Ruto said.
" We have instructed KCC to Pay Farmers Ksh 50,000 per litre of milk, and they have done so, in the last Six Months", he added.
However, a Keen listener, who noted the error, corrected the President and shouted, ' Fifty', which Ruto was quick to correct, " KCC has been paying Farmers Ksh 50 Per litre of milk and on time" he said, before joking he is the one who takes milk to the dairy at home.
The President, reiterated his administration is committed to empowering Farmers in the Country.
Ruto, revealed that the government has secured Meat and Dairy Products market for farmers in International markets, a move that will see farmers get more value for their products.
The President Called out leaders and Individuals opposed to the Livestock Vaccination campaign, admonishing them for being opposed to every initiative the Government comes up with, despite not having substantial Grounds.
" I want to ask Leader's who have no Knowledge or Understanding, Spare us your ignorance. They are saying the vaccination will prevent cows from Farting, We have all been vaccinated, has that prevented anyone from Farting?" He Quipped.
The President, went ahead to state the Vaccination is crucial to help Mitigate Diseases in Livestock and ensure Kenyan Products meet international standards.
Meanwhile, Speaking during the Recent Jamhuri day Celebrations last week, president Ruto had this to say on Agriculture.
"Not only have we registered successive historic gains against the shame of hunger for 3 seasons, but we are also firmly on the path towards surplus production. This impressive rise in productivity has multiplied the incomes of farmers in the maize, tea, sugar, coffee and dairy value chains.
There is no doubt that this agricultural transformation is the direct result of our strategic decision to shift public resources from consumption subsidies to supporting productivity.
Food is now more accessible to households than before and, as I stated in the State of the Nation Address, our country now boasts substantial national food stocks: 95 million 50kg bags of maize, 9 million bags of beans, 10 million bags of wheat, and 2 million bags of rice. Step by step, we are building a food-secure Kenya where every family can afford and access a meal.
Farmers have brought more land under cultivation and produced much more per acre than before, thanks to the timely availability of subsidised inputs and extension services.
Agro-industries have more raw materials, and value addition is on the rise. The agro- industrial sector is also creating more jobs each year as we gear up to compete in various export markets driven by expanding intra-African trade, opportunities in the European Union and United Kingdom markets, and our growing competitiveness in global markets."
In related News, President William Ruto has claimed that during his recent visit to Tanzania, the country's Agriculture Minister complained about losing the Kenyan market for Tanzania's maize.
Speaking on Monday, December 16, during the National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto stated that Kenya has not imported any maize this year or last year, as the commodity has been sufficient.
The Head of State revealed that in 2022, the country imported maize worth Ksh10 billion but noted significant progress in achieving self-sufficiency in maize supply.
"In fact, I was in Tanzania the other week and the Minister for Agriculture there was complaining that they have lost market for their maize into Kenya because we have produced enough maize. We imported maize worth Ksh10 billion in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, we did not import any maize meaning we are making progress,” President Ruto remarked.
The president attributed the progress to the government's supply of millions of bags of subsidised fertiliser to farmers in order to increase food production.
Ruto, stated that Kenya currently has high national food stocks, including 95 million 50kg bags of maize, 9 million bags of beans, 10 million bags of wheat, and 2 million bags of rice.
"By distributing over 7 million bags of subsidised fertiliser to farmers, we have significantly increased food production, moving closer to sustainable food security and manageable cost of living.
"We are making significant strides towards eliminating famine and reducing dependence on imports. At the same time, we are witnessing improvements in farmer productivity and incomes across key value chains such as tea, sugar, coffee, and dairy," the president explained.