Grapevine

Farmers see GMO link in new proposed agricultural laws

Farmers at the Chakama Smallholder Irrigation project in Magarini Sub-county, Kilifi County. Critics of the proposed laws say they unfairly target smallholder farmers. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

Farmers and their representatives are sounding the alarm again over proposed State-backed agricultural laws that they believe threaten rural smallholder farmers and local agriculture.

The advocacy group Kilimo Cha Haki yesterday expressed concern that these bills endanger not only food sovereignty but also the livelihoods of farmers countrywide.

Among the nine bills currently under review are the Agriculture and Food Authority Bill; the Livestock Bill, 2024; the Mung Bean Bill, 2022 and the Water Amendment Bill, 2023.

Critics argue that these legislative proposals overlap with the roles of existing agencies within the Ministry of Agriculture, raising questions about their necessity and intent.