By Mutugi Seth,Monday, August,24,2015

The County Government of Meru will protect farmers in the county against exploitation , Deputy Governor Raphael Muriungi has said. He said the County Government is working with the National Government and all other stakeholders to ensure full implementation of Agriculture ,Fisheries and Food Authority Act(AFFA) of 2013.

The Deputy Governor was speaking outside the County Government offices when traders sought the government audience.He advised the dealers to comply with the act to avoid getting on the wrong side of the law.

The law which is a big relief to potato farmers came into force in early 2013 but remained largely unimplemented until late last year when Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority wrote to Governors seeking collaboration in the implementation of the law i the counties.

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Executive Jenaro Quantai said the law which is set to standardize the farm produce packaging and protect farmers and dealers in value chain was a result of a bill tabled and passed by Parliament to comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations on trade products packaging.

He urged all stakeholders to support the success of the law for the economic prosperity of the county and nation at large.

The law stipulates the unit of measurement of the weight of all produce shall be the kilogramme and each package shall not exceed a weight of fifty (50) kilogrammes and anybody who contravenes this is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.