Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett in Eldoret on November 8, 2017. [Photo: Joe Khisa]
The government has directed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) not to charge any drying fees to farmers delivering their cereals at the depots across the country.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett says the move is aimed at ensuring no farmer incurs extra expenses due to the current heavy downpours being experienced in the North Rift region, the country's grain basket.
Speaking during the marking of this year's World Food day at Mama Sarah Boit's farm in Turbo, Uasin Gishu county on Wednesday, Bett said over 20 percent of the harvests have been already lost due to the rains.
"We understand that under the current circumstances it's hard for farmers to dry their produce and this is why we've directed NCPB not to charge any drying fees for high moisture maize and wheat being delivered at their depots," Bett said.
The CS further urged investors to set up dryers that will help small-scale farmers easily dry their produce.
"Those with dryers we urge that they avail to other farmers at a small fee as this will go a long way towards cutting down on losses being caused by the rains since not all farmers take their produce to NCPB," he said.
Maize and Wheat farmers in Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet among other counties are having sleepless nights as ongoing rains pose a threat to their products that are ready for harvesting.