Officials begin enforcing 50kg potato packaging rule
Various potato packaging sizes on display during a farmers' field day at Keringet, Nakuru County on November 12, 2014. Irish potato (SolanumtuberosumL.) needs sound production practices for good yields. PHOTO | CAROLINE CHEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Police and county officials have been instructed to arrest those found packaging or transporting Irish potatoes in excess of the standard 50kg bags.
- According to the law passed in 2013, packing potatoes in the extended sacks will attract a fine of up to Sh500,000 or a one-year jail term.
- Ms Muritu said they were working with other potato producing counties such as Nyandarua, Narok and Bomet to enforce the law.
- Farmers should lead in complying with the law because they suffer most when potatoes are packaged in extended sacks.
Potatoes are now being packed in 50kg bags in the county and those who do not are being arrested.
The chief officer for agriculture Purity Muritu, Tuesday said police and county officials have been instructed to arrest those found packaging or transporting Irish potatoes in excess of the standard 50kg bags.
Ms Muritu said farmers should lead in complying with the law because they suffer most when potatoes are packaged in extended sacks.
“Packaging of potatoes in large sacks reduces farmers’ profits considering the cost of inputs,” she said.
This follows gazettement of standard packaging weights for cereals, legumes, roots and tubers law.
According to the law passed in 2013, packing potatoes in the extended sacks will attract a fine of up to Sh500,000 or a one-year jail term or both.
Ms Muritu said they were working with other potato producing counties such as Nyandarua, Narok and Bomet to enforce the law.
She said agriculture executives from the counties held a meeting with deputy county chiefs and senior police officers to work out ways of enforcing the law.
