Nairobi: The government, through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), will immediately embark on purchasing one million bags of 90kg maize from farmers at Sh3,500 per 90kg bag for the National Strategic Food Reserve. Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Andrew Karanja announced that the set price of Sh3,500 per bag is intended to support farmers in maintaining profit margins and aligns with the prevailing farm gate price of Sh2,835.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the 2022/2023 short rains, the Kenya Kwanza Government commenced a fertilizer subsidy program to enhance agricultural production and ensure food security for all Kenyans by reducing the cost of fertilizer from Sh6,500 to the current Sh2,500 per 50kg bag. Dr. Karanja highlighted that a total of 6.45 million farmers have been successfully registered on the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS), a platform that has enabled the successful administration of the subsidy program th
rough the e-voucher system.
Dr. Karanja noted that the fertilizer subsidy, together with relatively good weather, has led to improved maize production. The maize production for the 2024 long rains season is projected to reach 75.97 million 50kg bags. In line with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda of ensuring a low cost of living, the set price of Sh3,500 will also help maintain the current price of maize flour, which is currently retailing at Sh130 per 2kg packet.
The CS revealed that the purchase of the one million bags will also build up the National Strategic Food Reserve, which is currently at 30% of the proposed quantities. Dr. Karanja emphasized that the purchase of maize will be from all farmers, urging them to adhere to the requisite quality standards for the safe storage of maize. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, in collaboration with the County Governments, will ensure that farmers receive capacity building on quality standards and post-harvest management practices
to prevent food loss.