Government’s KES 2,300 Maize Price Not Enough for Farmers

The Government has offered to pay farmers 2,300 shillings per 90-kilogram bag of maize contrary to the farmers’ demand of at least 3,200 shillings a bag.

The state, through the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR), set the new prices, something which the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Director, North Rift region, Kipkorir Menjo isn’t thrilled about.

Mr. Menjo noted that he was aware of the government’s new maize prices that goes against the produce price the farmers want.

“Should the government implement the new prices, producers will remain incapacitated and the majority of them will be reluctant to return to their farms next year which means that to those who import maize, it will be business as usual,” Mr. Menjo said.

The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), however, claims that it is not aware of the new producer price for maize.

“My organization has not been informed of the new prices for the current season crop and we are awaiting further communication from the SFR,” Titus Maiyo, the board’s corporate affairs manager said.

Farmers from the North Rift, who met with Silas Tiren, Moiben MP at the Eldoret TAC Center on Monday, said that they wanted better prices and that the government should buy their produce at 3,600 shillings a bag this year.

The new price set by the SFR is admittedly low compared to the 3,200 shillings price in 2017. However, 10 months later, some farmers are yet to be paid for the sale of their produce.

Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday 4th said that 2.1 billion shillings had been released by the government to pay farmers.

“Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture will meet to discuss and determine favorable maize prices,” the DP said.

On his part, Moiben MP, Tiren said that the farmers should be included in the discussions. He also expressed his disbelief as to the state importing maize from Mexico with a price of 3,600 shillings a bag yet it finds it difficult to pay local farmers the same price. He felt that the farmers are being punished through the lowered prices.