Maize rots in North Rift

The heavy rains in the North Rift have disrupted maize harvesting in the region, deepening fears of poor yields.

Farmers in the region say that much of the crop is rotting in stacks in the fields and in stores due to the high moisture content.

Agriculture officials say the country might lose 20 per cent of the grain if the current climatic conditions continue.

Speaking to the Sunday Nation, Cereals Growers Association (CGA) chief executive officer David Nyameino said the country’s production is expected to drop from an average of 34 million bags to about 27 million bags while consumption stands at 32 million bags.

Handled well

He added that it would be disastrous for the country if the current crop is not handled well during the post-harvest period.

He added that the 7-8 million bag shortfall could have been bridged by Eastern Province, but the region experienced a dry spell.

He advised farmers in the North Rift to take advantage of the short rains to grow early maturing crops. But the farmers said they would not plant yet because the meteorological department had not forecast how long the rains would last.

“They had said the country would experience a dry spell this year, but what we got was the opposite,” said Wilfred Kirwa, a farmer from Trans Nzoia.

Mr Kirwa said most of them had harvested their maize in September and left it in stacks to dry, but the rains came in October, taking them by surprise.

Mr Nyameino said the East Africa Grain Council (EAGC) of which CGA is a member and he is a director, had come up with a Warehousing Receipt System (WRS), which is already operational in Nakuru, to take care of grain during the harvesting season.

He said other silos would be set up in Eldoret and Kitale, which are major wheat and maize-growing areas.

Sell produce

Through the system farmers deliver their grain to the silos for drying and pay 80 percent for their deliveries so that they can continue farming. When prices improve, they sell the produce.

Last week, the Sunday Nation learnt that some millers were offering 27 percent more for a 90kg bag of maize than what the National Cereals and Produce Board has set as a bench mark price.

Major millers are buying maize at an average price of Sh2,167 while the board is offering Sh1,700 for the 90kg bag.

Eldoret-based Maize Milling Company and Mombasa Millers are offering Sh2,200 for the grain while Corn Products Company is offering Sh2,150. Unga is offering Sh2,100.

Last month, Agriculture minister William Ruto banned maize exports to guard against a possible deficit that might be experienced in the country.

Lose harvests

While announcing the move at his Kilimo House office, Mr Ruto said: “Traders who engage in anything to the contrary will face full force of the law. The ban is to ensure the country does not lose harvests to regions and other markets.”

“Our priority is to feed Kenyans... business follows later,” he added.

The minister said the ban will ensure maize that is harvested is used within the country adding that more maize would be imported by April next year to plug the deficit.