Broiler farmers from Ruiru town have joined forces to form a cooperative society in a bid to enhance their livelihoods and reclaim control over pricing. This collective movement aims to eliminate the stranglehold of brokers who currently dictate market prices, often leaving farmers counting losses.
With over 20,000 members, the cooperative is designed to bolster the bargaining power of poultry farmers, enabling them to secure better prices for their broiler meat, which has been unprofitably low in recent years. Farmers voiced their frustrations at a community meeting, highlighting the increasing challenges they face in the business.
Peninah Wanjiru, a poultry farmer, expressed her dissatisfaction with the industry’s current state. “We are the backbone of this industry, yet we earn the least,” she lamented. Wanjiru and her fellow farmers revealed that brokers often buy meat at unfair prices, forcing them to sell at a loss after months of hard work.
Beyond improving pricing, Wanjiru highlighted the additional benefits of the cooperative, which aims to provide farmers with access to affordable feed and create direct market linkages both locally and internationally. This could help bypass middlemen and ensure a fair profit for the farmers’ hard work.
Gakuru Mureithi, a seasoned poultry farmer, urged government intervention, warning that many might leave the industry altogether without immediate action. “The cost of chicken feed has skyrocketed, yet the farm gate price of broilers remains unreasonably low. If nothing is done, we may soon face a severe shortage of locally produced chicken,” Mureithi cautioned.
Another farmer from Ruiru, Antony Maina, added that the cooperative might have to look abroad to find better markets for their produce if the current trend continues. “We’re tired of making losses. If brokers continue to dictate pricing, we might have to explore international markets, starving the local market of chicken meat despite increasing demand,” Maina stated.
The call for government support is loud and clear, with farmers seeking incentives similar to those provided to coffee, tea, and sugarcane farmers. Maina urged the government to consider poultry farmers for relief, as they play a vital role in the nation’s agricultural production.
As this cooperative initiative takes shape, Ruiru’s poultry farmers are determined to fight for their rightful place in the market, advocating for a future where they can finally earn a fair return on their labor and contribute to greater food security in the country.
