Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior expressed the distressing reality faced by mango farmers in Kenya during the National Mango Conference. He condemned the long-standing exploitation, suffering, and neglect endured by these farmers, recounting an incident where a broker boasted about profiting more than them.
Farmers from various counties shared their frustrations over low prices offered by brokers, reaching as low as Kshs 2 per kilogram of mangoes. Helpless against the brokers’ tactics due to the perishable nature of mangoes, they had no choice but to comply.
In contrast, mango farmers from Murang’a County shared a positive story, crediting the county government’s support. Through direct intervention and the establishment of the Lower Muranga Farmers Cooperative Society, they earned Kshs 23 million from mango sales in the previous season.
Paul Kimani Mugo, responsible for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives in Muranga County, explained their approach to streamlining the mango value chain. They formed a cooperative to assist farmers in marketing their products effectively, collaborating with prominent mango processors such as Sunny Mango Processors, Kevian, and Vegpro.https://wikifarmer.com/mango-farming-in-kenya-what-challenges-mango-farmers-face/#:~:text=Mangoes%20grow%20in%20various%20parts,Keit%2C%20Vandyke%2C%20and%20Boribo.