A section of farmers in Uasin Gishu county wants the government to buy more maize from them this season.
Responding to a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to open the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), the farmers led by Uasin Gishu Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) director Kipkorir Menjo said the plan to purchase 2 million bags of maize is to way to low compared to production in the North Rift region.
The farmers say the government should buy at least 4 million bags.
“Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties alone produced more than 10 million bags of maize this season so for more farmers to benefit, the government should increase the amount being targeted for purchase,” said Menjo who was speaking to the press in Eldoret town on Friday.
The KFA director further applauded the president for increasing the maize prices from the initial Sh2,300 to Sh2,500 per 90-kilogram bag.
“We urge the government to at least put a rebate of Sh500 on top of the Sh2,500 price to cater for the transport cost incurred by farmers," added Menjo.
President Kenyatta on Thursday directed the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) to start purchasing maize from farmers through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
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