The proposed legislation introduces strict regulations not only for farmers but also for sellers and processors of green grams. According to the bill, no individual or entity will be allowed to sell, process, or cultivate green grams or any of its products without first obtaining a license from the relevant county government.
"Violation of these regulations will result in a fine of Ksh 1 million or a minimum prison sentence of two years," states the bill.
To ensure proper enforcement, county governments will establish committees responsible for reviewing license applications and issuing them to eligible farmers. The committee will have 21 days to respond to an applicant, either approving or denying the license request.
The bill further stipulates that county governments may create additional regulations to guide the licensing process, including specific requirements that applicants must fulfill. Information on these requirements will be made available by the county government.
Farmers will need to renew their green gram farming licenses annually. The county committee also holds the power to revoke a license if the farmer is found to be in violation of the law or any established guidelines.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, the sponsor of the bill, presented it to the Senate for its first reading on February 15, 2022. Following the necessary legal procedures, the bill is expected to be passed by February 2024. It has already been approved with some amendments and forwarded to the National Assembly for further consideration.
Under the proposed law, county agriculture ministers will be required to maintain a register of licensed farmers and regularly update the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) on the status of these licenses, including any revocations or renewals.
The AFA will keep a comprehensive register of all farmers, buyers, and related entities, ensuring transparency in the sector. The bill also grants the Agriculture Minister the authority to establish guidelines for the processing, importation, and exportation of green grams.
Farmer registration will include detailed information such as the farmer's location, the size of their farm, and the type of green grams grown. The county will determine the fees or charges applicable to registered farmers.
Senator Wambua emphasized that the bill aims to protect green gram farmers from exploitation by brokers, particularly in Kitui County. Currently, farmers receive as little as Ksh 50 per kilogram of green grams, while brokers sell the same at a much higher price, leaving farmers with minimal profit.
By regulating the sector, the bill seeks to ensure that farmers can benefit more from their hard work and eliminate the middlemen who have been taking advantage of them.
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