ELDORET, Kenya, Mar 4- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pleaded with farmers in the country’s breadbasket to release the maize they are hoarding to avoid massive losses.
Speaking at this year’s Eldoret Agricultural Show on Friday, Gachagua warned that the farmers are likely to suffer major losses when the shipment of imported maize arrives in the country.
He blamed farmers for hoarding maize as they anticipate selling them at a higher price.
“I am pleading to our farmers in Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Kakamega and Transnzoia to release the maize that you are hoarding, and sell it at good prices before the duty-free maize gets into the country and you will not be able to fetch good prices,” Gachagua stated.
The cabinet last year allowed importers to import 900,000 metric tons of white grain and 600,000 metric tons of rice from February to August to enable the country to have adequate stocks to last until the next harvest.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi in December last year announced government plans to import basic commodities including rice, sugar and maize so as to bridge the deficit of local production relative to consumption.
The CS said the government will import 10 million bags of maize to enable the country to have adequate stocks to last until the next major harvest of July/August 2023.
The CS attributed the maize deficit in the country to severe drought and attack by fa army worms which led to decreased production.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the national annual maize consumption in Kenya stands at 52 million bags (90kg).
