By Joel Okwayo

Maize prices in Western Province have dropped by over 30 per cent.A two-kilogramme tin of maize in the region is selling at Sh60 down from Sh90 mid this year.

"Prices had even dropped to as low as Sh50 per two-kilogramme tin last month, before changing to Sh60 as we entered October," said a trader in Kakamega town.

But the Government has cautioned residents against selling their harvested produce to middlemen.

Last month, seven DCs and Ministry of Agriculture officials raised an alarm over the rate at which the farmers were disposing of their maize to middlemen.

Western Provincial Director of Agriculture John Cheruiyot asked farmers to stop selling their maize to traders, saying the trend would worsen the food deficit in the country.

"We caution farmers against exploitation by the traders who purchase the maize at throwaway prices," said Cheruiyot.

Lugari DC Pauline Dola and her Bungoma North counterpart Benson Mutua Mbela also warned farmers not to entertain middlemen.

Lugari and Bungoma North districts are the leading maize producing areas in the province.

Cheruiyot said agricultural extension officers were sensitising farmers on the importance of not disposing off their harvest.

The province had projected to harvest six million bags of maize this year but Cheruiyot said that the target might not be achieved due to drought and late planting.

The country is facing a severe famine after three failed rain seasons, leading to soaring food prices and livestock deaths.