A section of farmers in Uasin Gishu county now wants the government to increase the amount of maize the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will buy from them.
This comes after the NCPB announced that it will only buy a maximum of 400 bags from each farmer.
In a circular to NCPB, the Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund noted that Uasin Gishu farmers will only supply a maximum 328,610 bags of maize.
Addressing the press in Eldoret town on Monday, the farmers led by Uasin Gishu's Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) director Kipkorir Menjo said some of them planted maize in thousands of acres using loans and they are expected to repay the amount after selling their produce.
“We are really disappointed with the government for reducing the amount of maize being bought from farmers. How do they expect us to repay our loans? What criteria did they use to arrive at 400 bags per farmers?” asked Menjo.
“Some of the farmers have more than 2,000 bags of maize at their disposal. Where do they expect them to take their maize to?" added Kimutai Kolum, a farmer.
The farmers noted that the decision will expose them to middlemen who offer a throwaway price.
They further called on NCPB to fast track the ongoing process of farmers' vetting for them to deliver their noting that the process was being undertaken slowly.
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