The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) is participating in this season’s wheat purchase under the Wheat Purchase Programme (WPP) also referred to as C-60.
The Board will participate as an aggregator whereby farmers will deliver their wheat to Nakuru, Narok, Eldoret and Nairobi silos.
Once farmers have delivered their grain, millers can buy the wheat from the Board and collect from any of the above silos.
In a press statement Thursday by NCPB, the wheat will be traded under three grades: grade one; bushel weight of 78 and above, grade two; bushel weight of 75 – 77.9 and grade 3; below bushel weight of 75.
Joseph Kimote, Managing Director of NCPB said that the Millers and other processors will pay a minimum price of sh. 3,700 per 90 kg bag of wheat for grade 1, Sh3,600 for grade two, but grade three will be based on any agreed price between the millers and farmers on a willing seller willing buyer basis.
“All the wheat handled through the NCPB silo facilities will be charged a consolidated fee of Sh81 for a 90kg bag for weighing, grading and conveyance services for intake and out-loading. The fee will be shared equally between the millers and farmers.
Other related services like drying and cleaning, the MD said will be offered separately at the Boards prevailing fees.
“This Wheat Purchase Programme is aimed at protecting farmers from cheaper imports and also to promote local production of wheat so as to bridge the gap between production and consumption,” Kimote said.
NCPB is also buying paddy rice from farmers in Taita Taveta County and Bura scheme in Tana River County, the MD said, noting that by purchasing the paddy from farmers, the board is promoting local rice production, improving rural economy and boosting food security.
Other commodities that the Board is buying to support Kenyan farmers are different varieties of beans and green grams.
By Wangari Ndirangu
