Cotton farmers in Taita-Taveta County have rejected the price offered by the government for their produce.
The farmers from Taveta have vowed to replace the crop with others to avoid losses.
More than 200 small-scale farmers across the county sell their cotton to Makueni Ginneries, where they have been receiving Sh52 per kilo. But the price was decreased recently to Sh48
Mr Mwacharo Kubo, a farmer, said they are disappointed with the new price.
“We have lost confidence in cotton farming because of dwindling income. We had hopes that the price will keep going up but to our surprise they have reduced by Sh4,” he said.
The revival of cotton farming in the county had given hope to many.
“The demand for the crop has risen because the government has revived textile industries. That is why we are demanding for better prices,” said Kubo.
The farmers are demanding at least Sh60 per kilo.
Mr Kubo, who has been growing cotton for 20 years, said the farming has never given him good returns.
-Lucy Mkanyika