KENYA – The Kenyan government will purchase maize from farmers at KSh 4,000 (approximately US$27) per 90-kg bag this year, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Ronoh has announced.
Speaking during a tour of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots in the North Rift region, Ronoh emphasized that this was the best price the government could offer to the farming community and encouraged farmers to consider diversifying their crops for better returns.
“We will not force any farmer to sell their produce to the NCPB if they feel they can get a better price elsewhere,” Ronoh stated, adding that those unsatisfied with the government price are free to explore alternative markets that may offer higher prices.
To mitigate post-harvest losses, Ronoh revealed that the government will provide mobile dryers to farmers.
He urged farmers to take advantage of these facilities by depositing their produce at available depots, where they can receive a warehouse receipt in return.
Ronoh, accompanied by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and Kesses MP Julius Ruto, also directed the NCPB management to begin disposing of old maize stock to make room for the fresh harvest.
“The maize harvesting in parts of the Rift Valley and Western region starts in mid-October and November. I want the board to fast-track the disposal of old stock to create room for new crops,” he said.
The announcement comes at a time when the country expects a bumper maize harvest, projected to exceed last year’s yield by 20 million bags.
Recently, Andrew Karanja, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, while visiting various maize farms in Kenya’s food basket region, revealed that this year’s maize production is predicted to reach 70 million 90-kg bags due to favorable weather conditions and substantial government support.
“We are very excited about the expected bumper harvest because this will ensure the country has adequate food,” he said.
Recent market data shows that maize prices have been fluctuating due to various factors, including high input costs and unpredictable weather patterns.
However, with the government’s new initiatives and the expected bumper harvest in the coming months, there is cautious optimism among stakeholders.
Furthermore, the introduction of mobile dryers is seen as a significant step to address post-harvest losses, which the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates at 30% for maize in Kenya.
The PS’s visit and directives come at a critical time, as Kenya seeks to balance between providing fair compensation to farmers and managing its national food reserves amid fluctuating global grain prices.
This year’s set price is slightly lower than last year’s KSh 4,500 (US$30) per 90-kg bag, a reduction attributed to government budget constraints and efforts to manage inflation in the country.
Farmers are now preparing for the main harvesting season, with a keen eye on market dynamics and potential new policies that could impact their livelihoods.
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