Maize prices fall as Bondo records bumper harvest

BONDO, KENYA: The average wholesale price for millet and maize in Bondo sub-county have fallen to Sh2,600 and Sh2,400 per bag, down from Sh3,600 and Sh2,800 respectively, significantly reducing the household burden as new season begins.

According to the sub-county agricultural officer, Aggrey Mamesa, the recent bumper harvest has pushed down maize prices in the local market by 22.2 per cent in the last three months, making Bondo one of the areas with enough food.

"The sub-county has recorded significant drop in maize prices since most of the people got good harvest during the short and long rains,” said Mamesa.

This production level, he says has registered a 60 percent success rate for the three consecutive seasons.

In 2012, Bondo experienced a deficit of 108,000 bags of maize. This was 66,000 bags of maize against the required 178,000 to feed the region's population.

The poor harvest which had put the sub-county on dependence on relief and imported food was due to insufficient rainfall.

Last year, the sub-county harvested 22,000 bags above the expected 180,000 bags of maize with South Sakwa recording the highest production of millet.

The county has been importing maize from Busia and Eldoret with a 2kg tin of maize and finger millet selling at between Sh60 - Sh70 and Sh80 respectively.

The area has also posted an increase in the harvest of non-staple crops.

"The production has increased compared to other seasons. This is due to increased and good use of fertilizer during short and long rains," said Mamesa.

The officer also attributed the bumper harvest to increased use of certified seeds and use mechanization in the area.

"Of late, people are practicing horticulture farming and no longer use maize as a cash crop," said Mamesa adding that about 400 acres were ploughed using the county's subsidized tractor services.

This, he said, provides the area with a good opportunity to adequately feed increasingly growing population.

He, however, said that such a huge production came with its own challenges such as reduction of ploughing acreage.

"Our farmers should therefore venture into high value crops such as sweet potatoes and cassava since they can do well in areas with low rainfall such as this region," he added.

He said that Government will continue providing input subsidies to farmers and extension services in order to enhance food security and improve the welfare of the farmers.