Agriculture Secretary Peter Munya has asked devolved governments waive cess charged at roadblocks in their regions to food transportation.
The levies at roadblocks in various points is one of the key revenue streams for devolved units especially in regions that lead in food production.
Munya stated the relief food will contribute in reduction of food prices as the country struggles to deal with the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 pandemic. There has been an increase demand of food stuffs amid fears that government may impose stricter restrictions on movement.
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CS Munya has also set directives regarding food hygiene and safety in production and transportation of fooda and other consumable items.
He asserted that the directives will apply all players in the food supply chain, from those dealing with the farm inputs, production, trade and transportation.
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The ministry further directed county governments to ensure that transporters fumigate and sanitise their trucks before loading them with food stuff. They will aslo be required to train boda boda operators to observe proper hygiene wjile handling food products.
This means the ministry wants county governments to ensure farmers observe rules on the safe use of chemicals, certified seeds, decomposed manure, and fertilizers.
Stating that there will be continued surveillance and reporting on locust invasion as well as pests such as fall armyworm and maize lethal necrosis disease, Munya urged households to consider digital technologies in procuring and delivering food items.
The CS warned farmers against hoarding produce that leads stage breaks in supply to the markets and processors as he directed counties to also certify food handlers and to spread markets in efforts to avoid overcrowding.
According to the memo counties are required to ensure vendors transact through mobile-money platforms and mark out routes for food circulation.
