The county government of Uasin Gishu might from next year start purchasing maize from farmers in a bid to address the challenge that comes with depending on the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
According to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly leader of majority Josphat Lowoi, ward representatives are working on the possibility of setting aside a revolving fund that will enable the county purchase maize.
Speaking during a live interview with a local Television on Thursday, Lowoi said they are proposing to set aside Sh500 million in the 2018/19 county financial year to kick-start the fund.
“We want to focus on beginning with purchasing three-quarters of farmer’s maize in this county beginning next year but we shall keep increasing the funds so that by 2022 we will be having sufficient to buy all produce from our farmers,” said Lowoi.
“As MCAs, we are planning to meet the executive and discuss this matter so that we incorporate the Sh500 million in our budget and set a target of Sh1 billion by 2022,” he added.
The Karuna/Mibeki MCA said over 90 percent of the locals in the county are farmers but expressed concerns about the many challenges they have been suffering over the past years.
“Agriculture is a devolved function and as a county, we need to come up with legislation that will help address their challenge,s,” said Lowoi.
“With the revolving fund in place, the county will be purchasing maize and then decide to either sell in bulk to NCPB or engage other millers,” he added.
This comes at a time farmers have been up in arms over the delay in payment of over Sh4 billion for the produce they have delivered at NCPB.
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