National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has been accused of dishonouring payment agreement with farmers. [Photo/KBC TV]
Maize farmers in Nakuru County are demanding Sh45 million for produce supplied to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in December.
Lawrence Mungai, a farmer, told the Standard that the board had only paid Sh30 million and kept mum over the balance.
The over 100 farmers faulted the board's decision to delay the payment, saying there was an agreement between them and the NCPB which stipulated that the payment was to be made on delivery.
"NCPB is yet to pay us fully for the 70,000 bags of maize we supplied. We are wondering what is happening as we have not received any communication from them," he said on Tuesday.
Mungai said the delay in payment has affected farmers' operations as they were unable to prepare their farms for the next planting season due to lack of finances.
"We need to prepare our farms on time. We also have other responsibilities and that is why we are demanding payment," he remarked.
Another farmer said some of them were unable to take their children to school because of financial constraints.
"We were promised payment as soon as we made deliveries. However, it has been three weeks now and there is no money," the farmer lamented.
According to the Standard, area NCPB acting silo manager, Alfred Korir, blamed the national government for failing to release money to pay the maize growers.