Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has asked the Government to release funds meant for the purchase of maize and other cereals from farmers to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
Gideon said the delay in releasing the funds may subject farmers to losses.
"I urge the Government to open NCPB to farmers as soon as possible as a considerate move. Farmers in the North Rift have been adversely affected by the delay," the senator told The Standard.
If NCPB depots are not opened soon, Gideon said he feared farmers will fall prey to unscrupulous middlemen who may buy their produce at throwaway prices.
"NCPB should open up and offer best prices for our farmers for this will ensure that they meet their daily needs," he said.
He also urged NCPB to pay farmers immediately they deliver their produce to the depots.
"Farmers should be paid within a reasonable time upon delivery of their produce once the Government releases the funds to NCPB. There have been times in the past when farmers had to wait a little longer," he said.
Kenya Farmers Association Director Kipkorir Menjo echoed Gideon's sentiments, saying brokers were taking advantage of the situation to exploit farmers.
Keep their maize
Mr Menjo said brokers are now buying maize at Sh1,200 per 90kg bag.
"This exploitation is as a result of Government not opening up NCPB depots and not announcing the price for the 90kg bag of maize," he said.
He said the Government should increase funding to NCPB so as to enable them to buy more maize from farmers.
Menjo said he had already petitioned the Government to allocate Sh16 billion, which will buy about three million bags of maize in Uasin Gishu.
He also called on the Government to subsidise seed prices.
Churchill ole Nguruna, a maize and wheat farmer from Narok, told The Standard that the prolonged delay in opening NCPD depots in the region had forced farmers to sell their produce at low prices.
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Narok North sub-County NCPB Manager Dianah Musyoka said the Government was yet to release money to buy harvests in all parts of the country.
"I advise farmers to keep their maize until the Government releases funds," she said.
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