Agriculture CS Willy Bett. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Delayed harvest and ongoing rains are derailing the purchase maize for the depleted Strategic Food Reserve (SFR).
By Monday, The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) had only received 60,000 90-kilogramme bags of maize.
The purchase occurred since NCPB opened its depots for buying grains from farmers.
Agriculture secretary Willy Bett said Monday: “NCPB is getting very small quantities of maize as harvesting has been delayed because of the rains that have been pounding the region.”
NCPB Stated that the maize that they are receiving at the moment has a high level of moisture content and they have to dry it before storage.
The board says the produce from farmers has a moisture content of up to 20 per cent.