The government through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will immediately embark on purchasing one million bags of 90kg maize from farmers at Sh3,500 per 90kg bag for the National Strategic Food Reserve.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Andrew Karanja said that the set price of Sh3,500 per bag is intended to support farmers to maintain profit margins and it is in line with the prevailing farm gate price of Sh2,835.
“During the 2022/2023 short rains, the Kenya Kwanza Government commenced the fertilizer subsidy program to enhance agricultural production and ensure food security for all Kenyans by reducing the cost of fertilizer from Sh6,500 to the current Sh2,500 per 50Kg bag,” explained Dr. Karanja.
The CS added that a total of 6.45 million farmers have been successfully registered on the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS), a platform that has enabled successful administering of the subsidy program through the e-voucher system.
Dr. Karanja said that the fertilizer subsidy together with the relatively good weather has led to improved production of maize.
“The maize production for the 2024 long rains season is projected to reach 75.97 million (50kg bags),” said Dr. Karanja.
The CS highlighted that in line with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda of ensuring low cost of living, the set price of Sh3,500 will also help in maintaining the current price of maize flour which is currently retailing at Sh130 per 2kg packet.
“The purchase of the one million bags will also build up the National Strategic Food Reserve that is currently at 30% of the proposed quantities,” disclosed the CS.
Dr. Karanja said that the purchase of maize will be from all farmers who he urged to adhere to the requisite quality standards for the safe storage of maize.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in collaboration with the County Governments will ensure that farmers receive capacity building on the quality standards and post-harvest management practices to avoid from food loss,” said Dr. Karanja.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
