Farmers reject NCPB pay system

By TITUS TOO

Maize farmers in North Rift have dismissed the recently introduced warehousing receipting system at the National Cereals and Produce Board depots saying it was not benefiting small-scale farmers.

The farmers said the system only befitted large scale farmers who deliver in bulky for storage.

In a meeting in Eldoret town on Thursday the farmers challenged the Government to instead pay them promptly when they deliver their produce at the depots.

Farmers said under the system, NCPB charges Sh60 per 90-kg bag on delivery and further Sh17 per month as storage fees as farmers wait for better prices.

The team of farmers, led by Kenya Farmers Association director Kipkorir Menjo, Rift Valley Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers chairman William Kimosong and Musa Barno, claimed stakeholders were not consulted before the introduction of the receipting system. They cited loopholes in implementing it during the meeting at the KFA office.

"They are asking farmers who produce less than 100 bags to join hands and deliver their produce. This cannot work because co-operative societies that brought together farmers have all collapsed," said Menjo.

He said the Government should just pay farmers the Sh1,800 per bag, as they had announced earlier instead of introducing additional levies.

Farming as business

"Before the introduction of the new policy, there was no ministerial approval neither was it discussed in Parliament.

"Maize farming is a business and we reject the additional levies imposed on farmers," he added.

Kimosong said it was unfair that prices of inputs like fertiliser and fuel were increasing constantly while that of maize remained stagnant.

"If the Government is not going to address the issue, we will soon call farmers and make a resolution to abandon maize farming and switch to better paying ventures," said Kimosong.

"The Government must do something on this."