Cash crops, including horticultural produce and flowers, are reliable sources of foreign exchange, which the country badly needs to meet other pressing needs.

It is becoming increasingly clear that, in the post-pandemic period, there will be an increased need for tangible reforms in the agricultural sector.

Besides boosting the growing of food crops such as maize, there is also a need to pay attention to the traditional foreign exchange earners, including tea.

The objective should be to ensure that any changes will directly benefit the farmers and the country.

The growing tendency to politicise this key sector must be resisted.