The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has effective from today opened its stores for farmers to dry and store maize at a fee.
In a statement today, NCPB Managing Director Joseph Kimote said the board has directed their stores to avail its stores to farmers, farmer groups and traders at affordable costs set.
On 28th September 2020, a presidential directive was issued to NCPB to review maize drying charges, for farmers by 50 percent from Sh40 to Sh20 per unit drop of moisture content
“The board was directed to review its storage charges from Sh10 to Sh3 per 50 kg bag per month and in this regard, we would like to notify farmers, farmers’ cooperatives and other interested parties that NCPB’s facilities are open for them to utilize “, he said .
,The Board , Kimote said is prepared to offer the aforementioned services at the prescribed rates as directed adding that NCPB has drying facilities in in its major silos located in Narok, Nakuru, MoisBridge, Eldoret, Kitale, Kisumu and Bungoma.
He also called on farmers to use these facilities to ensure that they reduce on post-harvest losses on their grain.
” The Board has storage facilities distributed countrywide and in all these facilities that comprise conventional stores and silos complexes, storage services are offered at competitive rates,” he said.
Farmers from the North Rift region have started harvesting maize for the long rains season. Harvesting , will peak in November.
the MD has however said the board is not buying maize as yet because they are waiting for funds from the Government.
He however said the NCPB was still waiting for the government to clear the accrued arrears to totaling Ksh 18 billion
By Wangari Ndirangu
