Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday announced that the government will allocate KSh 1 billion to miraa (khat) farmers to cushion them from shocks of international ban of the commodity.
Leaders from the Meru where the crop is widely grown mounted pressure to the president demanding action after it was banned in the UK and the Netherlands two years ago.
President Kenyatta during the signing of the Bill into law categorised miraa as a cash crop.
The amendments done through the Mediated Version of the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill No 2 the Crops Act means the national government can establish mechanisms for promotion, production, distribution and marketing of Miraa as a cash crop.
The money may be available from the next financial year through the Ministry of Agriculture.
The president said he instructed the Cabinet to include the allocation for supporting cash crops in budgetary allocations during discussions in Naivasha.
The historical assent, witnessed by Deputy President William Ruto and political leadership from Meru, gives legal backing for farmers and traders to grow, harvest and sell miraa produce in the country without any hindrances.
The President regretted the tribulations which farmers are undergoing since the ban and assured them of government support. The president also announced the formation of a new task force to look into issues affecting miraa farming.
