- The farmers say they are not making profits from the Sh4,000 because of increased costs of farm inputs.
- They have also requested for a meeting with President William Ruto and Ministry of Agriculture officials to discuss issues in the sector.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Rift Valley farmers want the government to increase maize prices at the NCPB to Sh6,000 per bag from the current Sh4,000 paid out by the board.
The farmers say they are not making profits from the Sh4,000 because of increased costs of farm inputs.
The farmers who spoke at a meeting in Eldoret, have also requested for a meeting with President William Ruto and Ministry of Agriculture officials to discuss issues in the sector.
Representatives at the meeting included John Bett, Patrick Sawe and Selina Kibor.
“As farmers, we appreciate what the government has done so far especially as concerns subsidised fertiliser. But we still have a challenge with prices because at Sh4,000 we are spending more than we get,” Kibor said.
He said if they will manage to meet the President and his team, they would be able to give details as to why they want the price per bag increased.
Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh who was in the region last week ruled out any plans to increase maize prices.
Ronoh said the current price was the most profitable for farmers who also have the option of selling their maize to the open market.
“That is the best price we are offering and we know it’s very profitable. Farmers also have the options of either selling their produce to the NCPB or give it to other buyers out there who may offer better prices,” he said.
The PS who spoke at the NCPB depot in Eldoret, said farmers had so far sold more than 700,000 bags of maize to the NCPB for which they had been paid more than Sh1.5 billion.
He said those yet to be paid would get their cash before the end of the year.
The farmers have however asked the PS to listen to their views and engage them in order to come up with better solutions for issues in the sector.
At the same time, the government says it will by end of November supply adequate subsidised fertiliser for use by farmers early next year.
Ronoh said within the same month of November, the government will start distribution of subsidised fertiliser so that farmers can prepare early for next planting season.
“We are already in the tendering process for the fertiliser so that we get those who will help in its distribution,” he said.
He assured farmers that the fertiliser to be distributed will be of high quality.
“This time we will ensure there are no loopholes in the distribution chain so that farmers will only access quality,” the PS said.
The government is attributing the increase in maize production to the supply of the subsidised fertiliser and other measures it has put in place to support the farmers.
Rono said they are expecting farmers to harvest more than 70 million bags of maize this year which is the highest ever recorded.
The PS said as part of measures to support farmers, the government had also distributed 100 driers as part of efforts cut down on the 30 per cent post harvest losses incurred annually.