Mango farmers in Ukambani are decrying heavy losses after brokers allegedly agreed to buy mangoes at KSh5 per fruit, only to reduce the price to KSh3 after harvesting had already begun.
According to several farmers, the brokers initially negotiated and settled on KSh5 per mango. However, once the trees were shaken and the fruits brought down, the buyers reportedly changed their terms, forcing farmers to either accept the lower price or risk having their produce left to rot on the ground.
Some farmers claim the brokers threatened to walk away if their new offer was rejected, putting growers in a difficult position since the mangoes are highly perishable and lack proper storage facilities.
The situation has sparked frustration across mango-growing areas in Ukambani, with farmers calling for government intervention to regulate middlemen and protect them from exploitation. Many argue that without structured markets and fair pricing systems, small-scale farmers will continue to suffer losses despite investing heavily in their crops.
Agricultural stakeholders are now urging authorities to establish clear pricing guidelines and strengthen farmer cooperatives to give growers more bargaining power during harvest seasons.
