The government will purchase maize from farmers at Sh4,000 per 90-kg bag this year, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Ronoh has announced.

Ronoh reiterated the off-take price was the best the government could offer to the farming community in the country as he asked them to diversify their crops if they expected to get maximum returns.

The PS made the remarks yesterday in Eldoret while on a tour of National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPD) depots in the North Rift region.

Ronoh was accompanied by elected leaders among them Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii and Kesses MP Julius Ruto. He asked those not satisfied with the government price to source from other markets that would attract higher prices for their produce.

Better price

“We will not force any farmer to sell their produce to the NCPB if they feel they can sell the same elsewhere at a better price other than what the government will be offering this year,” stated Ronoh.

The government, Ronoh revealed, will provide mobile driers to the farmers to tame post-harvest losses and asked them to take advantage of the gesture by depositing their produce at the available depots in exchange for a warehouse receipt.

Ronoh has consequently directed the management of NCPB to start disposing of all old maize stock with a view of creating room for fresh harvest from farmers across the country.

He ordered the NCPB to move with speed and dispose of the old maize stock before the farmers harvest their crops in the next three months.

The maize harvesting in some parts of Rift Valley and Western region starts in mid-October and November. I want the board to fast-track the disposal of old stock to create room for new crops,” argued Ronoh.