Maize farmers now ask State to allow imports as stock is depleted

Famers harvesting maize at Mukinyai in Molo sub-county, Nakuru. Farmers are selling a 90-kilogramme bag at over Sh6,200 at their doorsteps. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Farmers have called on the government to import maize to address biting scarcity as prices rise to over Sh6,200 per 90-kg bag in parts of North Rift, the country's grain basket.

Even after the government directed farmers to dispose of their harvests as early as November last year after announcing the planned importation of products from February, there are no indications of any imports as the price of the staple food shoots through the roof by the day.