We will buy maize in November, says NCPB

Narok; Kenya: Maize farmers in Narok County will have to wait until October to sell their maize produce to the government buyer, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB),the cereals board has said.

Speaking to the Standard, Narok North sub county NCPB manager Dianah Muysoga said that the government has not released money to buy the harvest.

She was responding to concerbs raised by farmers farmers in the region that unscrupulous middle-men were taking advantage of the delay by the government.

"We shall start buying maize ones the government releases money.Farmers have to wait until October and November," said Muysoga.

She,however decried that influx of cheap maize from the neighbouring Tanzania was reducing market prices leading to farmers encountering huge losses as a result of decreased demand.

"I advise farmers to keep their maize until when the government releases funds.We shall buy them at good prices," she said.

She observed that she has put all the necessary logistics in place to kick start the buying exercise once the government approves the money.

She said that despite this season's erratic rains, farmers have been visiting the facility enquring for the day the government market would be opened.

but farmers in the region said the delay was unnecessary as they continued falling victims to many middle men who have camped in the area.

Chruchill Ole Ngurune, a maize farmers said that he risks losing his 300 bags to maize brokers.He asked the government to save the situation through opening of the NCPB.

"We are now selling one bag as little as sh1500.This is a huge loss but we have no option since we need money as farmers.NCPB should come to our rescue," he said.