Tinderet MP Julius Melly at a past event. [Photo: northriftnews.com]
A group of legislators from the North Rift region have urged the government to consider the economic situation and cost of production when determining maize prices.
Led by Chesumei MP Wilson Kogo and his Tinderet counterpart Julius Melly, the leaders said the cost of maize production in the country is high hence need for better prices.
Speaking in Eldoret town on Sunday, the MPs asked the ministry of Agriculture to consider increasing the prices from the announces sh3,200 per 90kg bag.
"We need to put more emphasis on paying our farmers well as this will help ensure our country is food secure and do away with this issue of importing maize from Mexico," Kogo said.
"The government needs to give farmers prices that are commensurate with the cost of production as this will ensure they get value for their hard work," added Melly.
Similar sentiments had earlier been shared by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago who proposed sh4,000 per 90 kg bag of maize.
While announcing new maize prices, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett said after critical analysis and harmonisation, the cost of production was determined to be Sh2, 257.
"The Strategic Food Reserve board has recommended the produce price of a 90-kg bag of maize to be Sh3,000. But owing to drought coupled with the outbreak of the fall army worm, the government has evaluated the situation and provided a rebate of Sh200 per 90kg bag of maize offered to NCPB, over the SFR recommended price," the CS was quoted by the Star, Friday.