Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investments, announced lower loans and storage space for cereal farmers and traders on Tuesday, June 13.
In a notice from the Warehouse Receipt System Council (WRSC), the ministry urged Kenyans to use government-provided warehouses nationwide to avoid post-harvest losses.
According to the council, those who used the storage facilities could obtain low-interest business loans, with the ministry utilizing the stored goods as collateral.
The ministry delivers a receipt to a trader that reflects the amount and quality of grain kept and the size of the warehouse purchased under the terms of the agreement.
“Using their stored crops as collateral, they can obtain loans to invest in their farming ventures, fostering growth and financial independence.
Check Out: https://thebigissue.co.ke/top-earning-jobs-in-kenya-energy-sector-bankers-ngos-earn-highest/
“Not only does it streamline the storage and distribution of agricultural commodities, but it also holds immense potential for empowering women and youth in these sectors,” the statement reads in part.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, nearly 3.5 million registered farmers have access to low-interest loans.
Why do you need to store at the facility?
According to the council, the system was put in place to help farmers make more money from their food by safely keeping it while they negotiated the best rates or waited for favourable ones.
Furthermore, it saves farmers from post-harvest losses, which are especially common during large harvests when farmers lack storage facilities.
Tip: https://thebigissue.co.ke/how-to-write-a-cv-that-will-earn-you-employment/
Additionally, the shops protect farmers against intermediaries who use the absence of storage facilities to purchase wheat at low rates.
Warehouse Operator Qualifications
Individuals interested in becoming warehouse operators were also encouraged to apply if they matched the following criteria:
- They are able to present a certificate of compliance from the Food Directorate, which was acquired during an inspection of the warehouse.
- The applicant is a Kenyan-registered legal company.
- The applicant presented a workable business strategy.
- Provided a proper insurance policy covering all risks associated with the goods held.
- Proven capacity to acquire sufficient funds to fund initial investment and three years of operations expenditures.
The council asked interested parties to submit applications in softcopy or hard copies to info@wrsc.go.ke.
