§ 68. Mr. C. Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions on the cultivation of coffee by Africans still exist in Kenya and what are the reasons for them; for what reasons African farmers receive a lower price for maize than Europeans; and what steps are being taken to determine the price according to the quality of the crop.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsBy virtue of the Coffee Industry Ordinance neither Africans nor Europeans may grow coffee unless they are in possession of a government licence. The areas where coffee may be grown by Africans are scheduled by periodic Government Notices under the Crop Production and Livestock Ordinance. The reason for this legislation is the need to ensure proper cultivation and processing methods of the high grade type of230W coffee grown in Kenya and to prevent the spread of coffee plant diseases.
As regards maize the same price is paid by the Maize Controller for maize grown by Africans as for maize grown by Europeans, but part of the full price is paid into an African Agricultural Betterment Fund which will be used, after consultation with representative African growers, on works to conserve land and soil fertility in native areas. A further reduction of about three shillings per bag is made to cover collection, transport, bagging and storage charges, these services being undertaken on behalf of the African farmers by the Maize Controller, whereas the European growers perform them themselves. Certain African growers, who accept the same conditions of delivery and grade as the European grower and who comply with certain good husbandry regulations, receive the full price. As regards the second part of the Question all maize bought in Kenya from whatever source is graded and payment made accordingly, varying from 20 shillings to 18 shillings per 200 lb.