Murang'a county government start its annual subsidy on mangoes

oxfarmorganic@gmail.com Farming News January 28, 2025

The Murang’a County Government is buying Apple, and Vandyke mango varieties from local farmers under its annual Mango Subsidy Programme. They buy the fruits directly to farmers and later sell them to exporters and manufacturers.

Through this initiative, farmers’ earnings have significantly increased from Ksh 2–3 to Ksh 23 per kilogram.

The County is also working to secure markets for other mango varieties, such as Tommy.

Subsidies play a crucial role in supporting farmers, especially when the government buys their produce, like mangoes. Here are a few reasons why subsidies are important:

Income Support: Subsidies provide farmers with a stable income, helping them cover production costs and maintain their livelihoods, even when market prices fluctuate.
Price Stability: By purchasing mangoes at a predetermined price, the government helps stabilize market prices, preventing sudden drops that could harm farmers financially.
Encouragement of Production: Subsidies incentivize farmers to grow more mangoes, ensuring a steady supply of the fruit for local markets and possibly for export.
Rural Development: Supporting farmers financially helps stimulate the rural economy, creating jobs and improving infrastructure in farming communities.
Food Security: By ensuring that farmers can continue to grow and sell their produce, subsidies contribute to national food security, making sure there’s a reliable supply of food for the population.
Reduce post harvest loss: Mangoes are very perishable and the farmers have problem with storage, the county government buys the mangoes and store in their own cold room awaiting supplying to the final buyer