Win for miraa farmers as government revises price upwards

It is a sign of relief for Miraa farmers after the ministry of Agriculture today announced an upward revision of miraa prices.

In his statement to the press, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said a kilogramme of miraa will now cost Ksh 1,300 up from Ksh 700 for grade one while grade two will now cost Ksh 700 up from Ksh 350.

The new negotiated prices were reached after a meeting between the Ministry officials, farmers, traders, and the Miraa Pricing Formula Committee which is mandated to advise the industry pricing of Kenyan Miraa that was held on Thursday.

“In executing its duties, the committee reviews production data, cost, supply, and demand among other parameters to advise the sub-sector. “Therefore, the new negotiated price is Sh1300, Sh700, and Sh1,000 for Grade 1, Grade 2, and Alele, respectively. These prices take effect immediately,” Kagwe said in the statement.

The CS promised that the government would continue to address the market access challenges to expand export opportunities in the current and new markets.

The latest price increase comes against the back of persistent complaints by Miraa farmers who have been lamenting low pricing despite investing heavily in cultivating the crop. In the past week, the farmers were on an export strike until the prices were reviewed.

Miraa, which was declared a crop in 2016 through an amendment to the Crops Act of 2013 is commonly grown in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu, but has spread to Marsabit, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Machakos, Makueni, Laikipia, and West Pokot due to the growing market demand for the crop.

According to a recent report by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the miraa sector contributes about Ksh.13 billion annually in revenue, highlighting its impact on the country’s economy.

Kenya mainly exports the product to Somalia, Israel and the Democratic Republic of Congo.