Farmers count post-harvest losses as NCPB woes deepen

Labourers dry maize at Mr Paul Marus’s farm in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County. The rains pounding the country have made it hard for farmers to dry maize. [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

Maize farmers in North Rift are yet to deliver this season’s harvest to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) after they rejected the price. 

Most farmers are suffering post-harvest losses as the stalemate over the unresolved issues at the board continue.

They rejected the maize price of Sh2,300 per 90 kg bag announced by the National Food Strategic Board chairman Noah Wekesa. The amount was endorsed by the Cabinet.

They are demanding Sh3,600 following high production cost. But the government is yet to respond to these demands after revelations that unscrupulous traders received billions of shillings for delivery of maize to NCPB at the expense of genuine farmers.

A Bill by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi proposing a raft changes at the NCPB is pending. The proposed law seeks to replace NCPB with a National Grain Regulatory Commission to streamline the grain sector.

To add to the farmers woes, NCPB depots in Kitale and Moi’s Bridge which handle huge stocks of maize are still closed as local leaders pile pressure on the government to start buying maize from farmers. “Nobody is aware when we will be directed to start receiving the maize. We are in darkness since we have not received any word from our bosses in Nairobi,” said an NCPB official who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the Press.

The dilapidated stores at Kitale and Moi’s Bridge depots is a clear sign that all is not well at the agency which is supposed to save farmers from post-harvest losses.

“These storage facilities have been neglected for a long time and I don’t remember the last time they received a facelift. Some are leaking and pose danger to the stocks,” said a source.

Due to neglect, two of the three driers at Kitale depot are not working and this has forced farmers to hire private driers which are expensive.

The board has also not repossessed five stores leased to trader in Kitale which are supposed to accommodate maize from farmers.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuir ordered the NCPB management to cancel the lease.

Kenya National Federation of Farmers Secretary General Tom Nyagechaga faulted the government for being insensitive to the plight of farmers.