Why maize farmers are unhappy with budget

Maize farmers in the North Rift want MPs to revise budgetary estimates for the strategic grain reserves.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, while tabling the estimates for the 2017-18 financial year, said Sh1.6 billion would go towards the grain reserves, an amount farmers believe is not enough.

“We expected an increase in strategic grain reserves amount so that the Government can buy more produce from farmers but unfortunately, the amount in the estimates can procure approximately 700,000 bags against the huge number of farmers in the country,” said Kenya Farmers Association Director Kipkorir Menjo.

Menjo said the amount should be increased to Sh7 billion so that farmers do not incur losses. In the 2015-16 budget, some Sh2.7 billion was allocated to strategic grain reserves.

“MPs in the agriculture committee should amend the amount before it is finally passed because there is a likelihood that most farmers may not be able to find market for their produce by the end of the year,” he added.

The director said Sh4.9 billion allocated to the cereal sub-sector was not enough considering the number of households engaged in maize farming has doubled.

“It is always the prayer of every farmer that the Government continues to subsidise inputs based on the enormous activities involved,” he said.

He maintained that the Government should have reduced the allocation for the Galana irrigation project and increased the allocation of input subsidy and acquisition of maize from farmers.

“Some Sh19 billion for irrigation is a lot given the poor results that the Galana scheme has posted. We are still below the set Maputo declaration that Kenya is a signatory to, which insists we should set aside 10 per cent for agriculture,” said Menjo.

Julius Maloba, a large-scale farmer in Turbo, said the allocations would give room to unscrupulous middlemen to take advantage of pricing because of inadequate funds for the sector.

He said the Government should have encouraged the youth to engage in value addition by increasing allocations towards agriculture so that they can access markets.

“Agriculture should be given the attention it deserves especially to farmers who have made it their passion to improve their livelihoods through maize,” he added.

Sorobit Steve, another farmer from Cheptiret, wondered why the budget estimates did not factor allocation of funds towards Agricultural Finance Corporation and Agricultural Development Corporation, which had been playing a key role in cushioning farmers through loans.

“Most of us have been seeking loans from such institutions. What will happen now when the Government has not allocated anything for the next financial year?” he asked.

He said the Agricultural Development Corporation has large tracts of land that were important to farmers in breeding and provision of quality maize seeds to farmers.

Steve said a number of farmers in the region may not realise a bumper harvests due to the yellowing of maize and may want the Agricultural Finance Corporation to support them financially next year.