Maize farmers in Kenya want direct purchase from Government

September 11, 2023

167

(3 minutes read)

Maize producers in the North Rift region have asked the government to direct the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to open its stores and allow direct purchases of current season harvests

Maize producers in the North Rift region have asked the government to direct the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to open its stores and allow direct purchases of current season harvests.

Farmers currently harvesting their crops have expressed fears of the expected Elo Nina rains. In the event of untimely rains, farmers apprehend that it would be difficult for them to dry their produce during heavy rains.

The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier warned of heavy downpours from October to December this year in many parts of the country. The long rains are expected to start in September and will continue until January next year in various counties, including the country’s grain basket regions of Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia.

Farmers are also up against the poor prices being given to them with middlemen taking the largest chunk of the sale price. The farmers want a price of at least Sh5,500 per 90-kilo bag of maize. Most farmers have started harvesting their produce in fear of the anticipated heavy rains. However, drying the produce is a big challenge.

The farmers also want the government to announce standardised prices for their produce and buy the produce directly and in the future regulate the product prices as it is done in neighbouring countries. They argued that they should not be left at the mercy of middlemen, urging NCPB to buy maize produce from farmers, and thereafter the board can sell to millers to avoid further exploitation of the farmers.