Uhuru orders cereals board to buy maize from farmers at Sh2,500

Hillary Mageka  @hillarymageka

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to buy maize from farmers at Sh 2,500 per 90kg bag.

According to him, the Ministry of Agriculture  should enforce the said directive in order to ensure that the country has enough maize.

The President directed  that payments to genuine maize farmers and traders who supplied maize to the board be concluded by Friday.

“I also direct that the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries Cooperative should engage with input suppliers, to ensure that all inputs are available across the country, at affordable prices within one  month from this date,” he said.

Consequently, Uhuru also directed that maize drying charges be reviewed downward by 50 per cent from the current Sh40 per unit to Sh 20.

Posed challenges

In a statement, Uhuru said his decision is based on the fact that Covid-19 pandemic had posed challenges to agricultural-based livelihoods and food security in the Kenya.

Uhuru also said that the national government would  also make sure that maize driers are available in all maize growing areas by the coming season.

 “These driers will be community based and will be managed by a group of farmers or cooperatives at community level,” he added saying it will ensure that farmers are able to store or sell their maize at the appropriate moisture content.

Uhuru also directed NCPB to avail stores to farmers’ and farmer groups for storage at an affordable cost.