Nandi County has received 10 mobile grain dryers from the National Government to assist farmers in mitigating post-harvest losses.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said the equipment is significant in realising the government’s vision of improving grain value chains and achieving 100 percent food security
“Our main mission is to curb post-harvest losses mainly caused by poor storage, inadequate drying facilities and poor weather conditions during harvesting time,” he said at Mosoriot NCPB during the launch.
The CS noted that each dryer has a capacity to dry 14 tons of maize in two hours adding that it will only cost a farmer Sh 70 to dry a 90kg bag of maize.
Linturi who was accompanied by area governor Stephen Sang and other leaders said despite the crucial role agriculture sector plays in our Country, post-harvest loss management has been a major challenge with an estimated loss of 30 percent of harvested crops
He stated that the government has also put up a Warehouse Receipt System which allows farmers to hold their produce in certified 17 NCPB Deport warehouses across the Country.
The CS said this will ensure accountability and efficiency as the produce can be tested, cleaned, graded and stored with the owners of the commodity receiving a receipt of proof of ownership before sale
“The Warehouse Receipt System will help our farmers to store their maize safely as they wait for the maize purchase price to be in their favour before selling the same hence avoiding middle men,” he said
Governor Sang thanked the Government for the urgent intervention saying the fertiliser subsidies increased agricultural production thus the grain dryers will go a long way in helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses
“Farmers should take advantage of the favourable drying prices to dry their maize both for consumption and commercial purposes. The grain dryers are mobile just a phone call away. In 3 hours it can remove moisture from 26 percent to 13 percent,” he said
The second term governor urged farmers to capitalise on the Warehouse receipt system to secure storage of their maize as they wait for appropriate time to sell when the prices are favourable.
The leaders also inspected the multimillion Milk processing plant located in Kabiyet centre, Mosop Sub County where the CS said the government will deliver coolers and milk dryers to the plant.
Linturi revealed that the government has given New KCC Sh 1 billion to help stabilise milk prices which had dropped to less than Sh 35 per liter. He said the minimum milk price will now be Sh 45 per liter.
The Agriculture CS said the government has stepped in to assist farmers in all sectors so that they can produce more.
Farmers and stakeholder’s present thanked the government for the grain dryers and commitment to support the dairy sector saying it will go a long way to boost food security and make Nandi the country’s bread basket once again
The Nandi Dairy Cooperative factory, one of the largest in the North rift region is expected to process over 200,000 liters of milk per day.
By Linet Wafula
