Farmers cry foul as NCPB delays purchase of maize

Lturda Leshingiya and her children Simon (centre) and Ltubukwa, and Loitemu (below). The family, whose five members have disabilities, was banished by villagers in Samburu. [Photo: Michael Saitoti/Standard]

By Silah Koskei and Osinde Obare

Uasin Gishu, Kenya: Maize farmers in the North Rift have called on the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to start purchasing harvests.

The farmers said many of them have harvested but cannot sell the produce to NCPB because of full silos.

An NCPB depot official disclosed that storage facilities are still full of maize bought last year, so the institution cannot buy current harvests.

Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (Kenfap) North Rift chairman Musa Barno said there is need for NCPB to start receiving the new produce.

“It is worrying that farmers cannot sell maize because some depots are said to be full,” he said.

Barno noted that farmers want to sell their produce and buy farm inputs in readiness for next year’s planting season. He urged the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite the release of Sh3 billion meant to buy maize from farmers.

However, NCPB public relations officer Evan Wasike dismissed claims that the firm’s silos are full. Wasike said most depots were ready to receive maize from farmers.

“We have a large storage capacity of 21 million bags. Farmers can sell their produce to us any time,” he said.

And as farmers grapple with their unsold maize, middlemen have seized the opportunity to exploit them.

Heavy rains

In Trans Nzoia, they are purchasing the commodity at between Sh2,000 and Sh2,200 per 90kg bag, which they then deliver to millers in Kitale at Sh2,750. NCPB offers farmers Sh3,000 per 90kg bag.

Farmers, led by Trans Nzoia County Women’s Representative Janet Nangabo, blamed the board for their plight.

“Middlemen are taking advantage of small-scale farmers who are seeking cash to buy fertiliser and maize seeds for the next planting season,” said Mary Kairu, a farmer.

Maize harvesting kicked off in the region after the heavy rains subsided but farmers are a worried lot because of piled stock.

Poor roads and the high cost of transport have denied farmers, especially in remote areas, access to better markets for their crop.

Kenfap has protested against exploitation of farmers by middlemen.

“Middlemen have taken advantage of the situation to exploit farmers. It is very discouraging,” said Kenfap secretary Tom Nyagechaga.

Nyagechaga faulted the government for giving farmers a raw deal, arguing that middlemen are cashing in on lack of a market for the maize.

“The government is insensitive to the plight of farmers. Harvesting has been going on and farmers have no place to sell their maize,” complained the official.

Kenfap has in the past piled pressure on the government to announce new maize prices of Sh4,000 per 90kg bag to cushion farmers from the high cost of production.

Some farmers have reported losses occasioned by rotting of maize due to the rains, which delayed harvesting.