After a successful harvest, the Kenyan government has revealed its intention to acquire 1 million bags of locally produced maize, offering an enhanced price of Ksh. 4,000 per 90-kilogram bag.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi conveyed to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries on Thursday that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will oversee the procurement of maize for the National Strategic Food Reserve.

Linturi also mentioned that the government has procured mobile dryers to aid farmers in the drying process of their grains before government acquisition.

“The mobile dryers will enable farmers to preserve the quality of their maize and increase their income. This is a significant development, as post-harvest losses have been a major challenge for farmers in the past,” said Linturi.

Linturi also gave assurance to the Committee, headed by Kirinyaga County Senator James Murango, that his ministry is actively working on resolving production and marketing issues related to macadamia nuts, aiming to make the sub-sector more profitable.

Did you read this?

  1. Ruto Pressured To Issue Executive Order of Arrest In Connection To Fake Fertilizers Scandal
  2. CS Linturi Flags Off 45,000-Tonne Fertilizer Consignment For Tea Farmers

“We are exploring international markets in a bid to ensure our farmers benefit from the macadamia sub-sector. My Ministry is committed to making the country food secure through improved food production and better earnings for all farmers,” added the CS.

Linturi’s announcement comes just days after President William Ruto banned millers from obtaining permits to import wheat or maize, in an effort to protect local farmers and stabilise prices.

The President stated at the time that the government would spend Ksh.4 billion to buy maize from farmers, adding, “We ask our farmers not to sell their produce at throw-away prices.”

The Head of State announced that NCPB driers will be used to dry farmers’ maize for a fee of Ksh.50, reducing post-harvest losses due to high moisture from the current Ksh.400 per bag.

“Even if farmers don’t want to sell their maize to NCPB, they will have an opportunity to dry their produce at the State agency and store it,” Ruto said then.