A maize farmer. [photo/agribusiness.com]Kenya is contemplating waiving duty on maize imports as it is now clear that ongoing purchases from farmers will not be enough to feed the country before the next harvest.

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So far, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has purchased slightly more than two million bags from farmers at Sh3,200 per 90-kilogram bag. The highest maize yields that can be attained is 2.5 million bags, a figure Cabinet secretary Willy Bett says can only sustain the country up to end of February.

Similarly, farmers are said to be hoarding the produce to avoid suffering like last years. In an interview in his office, Bett confirmed that current maize stocks being massed up by NCPB will not be enough to feed the country in coming months.

“Though the current buying from the farmers is an improvement from 2017 acquisitions, it still is not enough to feed the growing population,” said Bett. In 2017, the government only bought one million bags.

To avert price increase of maize flour, like what was witnessed last year, Bett said imports will be sanctioned earlier from the neighboring countries of Uganda and Tanzania, which are enjoying bumper harvests, and in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.

He said consultations are ongoing within government circles over and above an assessment being carried out on the ground by the Ministry of Agriculture officials. He said Kenyan traders are already buying from Uganda to meet demand especially in the informal market and posho mills.

“Maize inflows from regional markets are good and we are just monitoring our local situation with a view to making plans as to when import duty can be waived so that millers can start importing substantial maize to stabiles the market,” said Bett.

“Currently average prices of a 90-kg maize bag in Uganda stand at about Sh2,100,” he added. Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development of Egerton University last year warned that the country is staring at an acute food shortage as from April this year.