Leaders and farmers in the North Rift region now want the state to disclose quantities, costs and identities of successful bidders should the need to import maize arise.
They asked the government to mop up all maize still held by farmers and buy it through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for Strategic Food Reserves (SFRs) in the current market rates of between Sh3,300 and Sh3,500.
They said disclosure of this information will stop participation of cartels who have over the years taken advantage of gullible farmers and corrupt public officials.
During a day long meeting at the TAC center in Eldoret, the leaders – Moiben MP Silas Tiren, former MP Jesse Maise, local farmers Joseph Cherono, Kimutai Kolum, John Chemnjor and North Rift Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Director Kipkorir Menjo – said farmers were frustrated and could not supply produce to NCPB.
“Maize farmers were locked out and the state bought only 460,000 bags despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directives early in the year for the purchase of two million bags.
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“Farmers were frustrated and exploited by middlemen who bought produce at throw away prices while most produce went to waste due to challenges in storage,” noted Tiren.
He said the current maize shortage that has resulted in price increment could not have been experienced if NCPB was adequately funded to buy all harvests for Strategic Grain Reserves (SGRs).
Tiren, who spoke to Saturday Standard after the meeting, said he was aware of plans to import maize and cautioned that farmers should be protected from importation of excessive quantities that could lead to a glut.
“Prior to any importation of maize, the government should first mop up all stocks that are still with farmers and pay current market price of between Sh3,300 and Sh3,500 per 90kg. Statistics of stocks made in all counties should be made public so that food deficit will be clearly indicated,” said the legislator.
The farmers said millers should not dictate to government on quantities to be imported and that local producers must be protected.
They raised concern over failure to allocate adequate funds to agricultural institutions in the budget making process ahead of the 2019/20 budget estimate to be delivered before the end of June.
“We are calling upon the MPs especially those from Rift valley region to rally their colleagues and amend the budget proposals and allocate more funds to the sector before it is read in two weeks’ time,” said KFA North Rift director Kipkorir Menjo.
