Farmers on leased land feel pinch of low maize prices

Eric Kiprono keeps vigil at his maize plantation in Kapsiekwa village, Elgeyo Marakwet. [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

Smallholder farmers who planted maize on rented land suffered the steepest losses as the price of the grain plummeted.

A study by agricultural policy and development think tank Tegemeo Institute shows that farmers might have had to sell a 90-kilogramme bag of maize at the prevailing price of Sh1,250 after sinking Sh1,866 per bag on rent, labour, fertiliser, seeds and machinery.