By MKT Correspondent
The Kenyan government, through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), will purchase one million bags of 90 kg of maize from farmers at a price of Sh3,500 per bag for the National Strategic Food Reserve.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Dr. Andrew Karanja stated that the price is intended to support farmers in maintaining profit margins and align with the prevailing farm gate price of Sh2,835.
The fertilizer subsidy program, initiated during the 2022/2023 short rains, has reduced the cost of fertilizer from Sh6,500 to the current Sh2,500 per 50Kg bag.
The purchase of one million bags will also build up the National Strategic Food Reserve, currently at 30% of the proposed quantities.
“During the 2022/2023 short rains, the Kenya Kwanza Government commenced the fertiliser subsidy program to enhance agricultural production and ensure food security for all Kenyans by reducing the cost of fertiliser from Sh6,500 to the current Sh2,500 per 50 kg bag,” explained Dr. Karanja.
The CS added 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 successful administering of the subsidy program through the e-voucher system.
Dr. Karanja said that the fertiliser subsidy, together with the relatively good weather, has led to improved production of maize.
“The maize production for the 2024 long rains season is projected to reach 75.97 million (50 kg bags),” said Dr. Karanja.
Dr. Karanja urged farmers to adhere to quality standards for safe storage of maize and ensured that they receive capacity building on quality standards and post-harvest management practices to avoid food loss.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, in collaboration with the county governments, will ensure that farmers receive capacity building on the quality standards and post-harvest management practices to avoid food loss,” said Dr. Karanja.