KENYA – Wheat farmers in Kenya are calling on the government to increase the duty on imported wheat from the current 10% to 35% to safeguard local production.
This plea comes amidst growing concerns over high production costs and uncompetitive prices that have forced many farmers in the North Rift region to reduce their wheat acreage significantly.
Farmers interviewed by The Star revealed that last season, they were left with unsold produce as millers and traders purchased wheat at prices between KES 2,400 (US$16.80) and KES 2,800 (US$19.60) per 90kg bag, while maize was bought at between KES 3,400 (US$23.80) and KES 3,600 (US$25.20) per 90kg bag.
Kipkorir Menjo, an official from the Kenya Farmers Association, criticized the reduction of the import duty on wheat to 10%, which allowed local millers to flood the market with cheap imports.
“This was costly for farmers since most failed to break even. The government should review the duty and provide other affordable inputs such as seeds and fertilizer to encourage production,” Menjo said.
Kenya produces less than 500,000 tonnes of wheat annually against a consumption of over one million tonnes, necessitating imports to bridge the gap. Wheat in the North Rift is predominantly grown in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and parts of Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
County data indicates a projected decline in wheat production as farmers increasingly switch to maize and other crops.
Samuel Yego, an agronomist, noted that wheat acreage in Uasin Gishu stood at 19,000 hectares last year but is expected to drop to 18,000 hectares this year, translating to 616,000 bags of 90kg.
“Last season, millers did not buy locally produced wheat from farmers, discouraging farmers from growing the crop,” Yego said. He warned that production would continue to decline without intervention.
Trans Nzoia county faces a similar situation, with projected declines in wheat production as farmers shift their focus to maize.
The call for government intervention is growing louder as farmers seek better policies and support to sustain wheat production in the face of challenging economic conditions.
Johnson Murei, a wheat farmer from Moiben, Uasin-Gishu county, disclosed that he planted only 50 acres of wheat this season, a steep drop from the previous 120 acres.
“I struggled to sell my wheat last season due to cheap imports. For us to continue growing wheat, we need better prices by the government controlling wheat imports since it is hurting us,” Murei said.
Murei explained that the high cost of chemicals and other inputs has increased the production cost to KES 40,000 (US$ 280) per acre, rendering wheat farming unprofitable.
He stated that to break even, farmers need the price to rise to KES 4,000 (US$28) per 90kg bag, compared to the current KES 2,800 (US$20) offered by traders and millers.
Most millers have shunned locally produced wheat for cheap imports, leaving farmers at the mercy of brokers,” farmers lamented.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
