Local and foreign middlemen have invaded the North Rift region to buy maize from farmers with harvesting of the crop having started in most parts of the region.
The government says it will announce maize prices this week and is urging farmers to stop disposing off their produce at throw away prices.
Outgoing PS for Crop development Kello Harsama says the NCPB will immediately open all its depots to purchase maize from farmers.
Harsama said they expect more than 44 million bags of maize out of which more than 23 million bags will be from high producing counties in the North Rift region.
The PS along with NCPB officials were visiting the North Rift for a post harvest pre-planning exercise to ensure all plans are in place ahead of mass harvesting by farmers.
He has since been transferred from the docket.
"Due to government interventions in the agricultural sector, we are now expecting very good harvests from our farmers and we are here to prepare for the harvests so that we do not lose anything," the PS said.
Harsam said the government would shortly announce the maize prices and the amount of bags to be bought for the strategic grain reserves through the NCPB.
He said some farmers were already selling off their produce to middlemen at throw away prices including as low as Sh3,000 per bag.
The middlemen include some from neighbouring countries. The PS said the farmers should be patient and wait for the new prices and opening of NCPB depots.
He said other companies including Apex from USA were also buying maize at prices of more than Sh4,200 per bag.
"We will ensure we purchase all maize from farmers and there is no need for the producers to dispose the maize at cheaper prices," the PS said.
Harsama said the government would continue to roll out more measures that would enhance food production while also ensuring farmers earn better from the sector.
He said the government had strengthened the NCPB after paying all debts owed to the board over the years.
He said the government was in the process of purchasing 100 driers to boost the existing capacity by NCPB to help farmers dry their crop especially during rainy seasons.
NCPB chief executive Joseph Kimote said the board had the capacity to buy and store 20 million 90kg bags.
He said once the purchase starts, the farmers would be handled on a first come first to served basis. He said the board would only buy maize with money available to avoid debts with farmers.
