MPs Disagree with SFRF Over KES 2,300 Maize Price

MPs, on Tuesday, found themselves at an impasse with the members of the Strategic Food Reserve Fund (SFRF) over the 2,300 shillings price per bag the state is to pay maize farmers claiming they will accept nothing less than 3,200 shillings.

The members of parliament wanted a conclusive report on the criteria used to arrive at the price. This comes barely a week after maize farmers rejected the new pricing saying it was too low for a 90-kilogram bag.

Adan Haji of Mandera South and the chairman of the National Assembly Agriculture Committee told the SFRF that they needed a scientific report with clearly stated numbers on the areas benchmarked by the body that led to the said price.

The committee claimed that Mr. Wekesa was frustrating farmers by setting low maize prices.

“We are not accepting anything less than 3,200 shillings,” Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Kwanza MP said to Wekesa.

Amidst protests, Mr. Wekesa informed the committee – which was convinced that the board was operating without engaging the farmers – that the 2,300 shillings were in alignment with the policy’s of the Ministry of Agriculture on prevailing local maize prices, production, and regional supplies.

“The costs of farm inputs and the consequences of natural calamities are other factors that informed the pricing,” Mr. Wekesa said.

He also added that if the purchase price differed significantly from the parity prices, the private sector will be discouraged and they will prefer imports.

“The ministry conducted a survey earlier this year in Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia to come up with the price,” Wekesa said.

“Another survey was carried out in July and August by the Cereal and Enhanced Program project whereas the third one was done by Tegemeo Institute in September,” he added.

The findings of the first survey done in February revealed that the price of maize retailed at an average of 1,600 shillings. In August and September, maize prices stood at 1,640 and 1,376 shillings respectively. However, the MPs agreed that maize prices should be increased to 3,600 shillings to cushion farmers from making losses.