By Amina Faki,
Seven millers are included in the list of 20 firms that have been given the permits to import 708,480 tons of maize.
This is a move taken by the Ministry of Agriculture in order to curb the current maize deficit in the country.
According to the knowledge of the Business Daily, the 20 firms were handed with duty-free permits to be able to import maize to be able to maintain supply in the market. The Ministry of Agriculture issued the licenses between 27 March and 13 May this year.
Agriculture Minister Willy Bett in an Interview with the Business Daily said that the ministry wants the 20 firms to bring in maize cheaply to salvage the current situation in the country.
Some of the firms issued the permits are; Unga Limited, Mombasa Millers, Capwell Industries, Cargill, Mombasa based Hydery (P) Limited, One Commodities Company limited and Seaboard Overseas (K) Limited.
The firms will be able to import maize from different countries around the world including Mexico, South Africa, United States of America, Zambia Egypt and Russia.
Russian grains will mainly be for animal feeds as some of the firms have been given permits to enable the import both the yellow and white maize.
The yellow maize permits were issued to three major millers and about 17 animal feed manufacturers
The government will buy a 90 Kg bag of imported maize at 3,600 shillings under the subsidy program.