Leaders and farmers want higher prices for their maize crop

Kapsabet,

Monday, October 9, 2023

KNA by Linet Wafula

Nandi leaders and farmers have petitioned the government to review maize prices terming the set minimum producer price too low due to the high cost of production.

Led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, they said the Sh4,000 per 90kg bag of maize offered by the State was low adding that farming is a business and all costs must be considered before a price is declared.

Speaking at Kapsabet Showground on Sunday during a fundraiser for the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) proposed commercial building (plaza), Cherargei stated that they want fair prices for the commodity so that farmers can earn a profit. The event was attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua among other leaders.

“The government should ensure fair pricing of maize so that farmers can reap maximum returns. Producer price should not be below Sh5,500,” Cherargei said.

The senator said since all other cereals are packaged in a 50kg bag, the same should be applied in maize production so that even if farmers decide to go with the state price, they will not incur losses.

His sentiments were echoed by farmers who said although the government lowered production costs through subsidised fertilizer, the increase in fuel prices escalated the cost of production.

“The government before announcing new prices, should use agricultural extension officers to determine the cost of production by factoring seeds, lease of land, chemicals used, harvesting costs, transportation and shelling among others. Producing a 90kg bag of maize is very expensive,” said Amos Korir from Mosop Sub County.

Maize harvesting in the region has started in earnest with farmers calling on the government to provide them with dryers before the start of Elnino rains.

“Let the government provide maize dryers so that we can dry our produce before the start of Elnino rains,” said Caroline Koech who is expecting a bumper harvest from her 5 acres of maize farm.

The government is projecting a bumper harvest of 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 ministry of Agriculture has attributed the good harvest to government interventions through fertiliser subsidy.

Courtesy; KNA