Ruto: Maize price will remain as set last week

Deputy President William Ruto shares a light moment with the Presiding Bishop of African Inland Church (AIC) in Uasin Gishu County on December 21, 2014. The Deputy President said the maximum amount the government would buy a 90kg bag of maize was Sh2,800. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • This could be a relief to thousands of North Rift maize farmers who opposed last week’s announcement of Sh2,200 for a 90kg bag. They wanted a bag to go for Sh3,500.
  • He also hinted at plans to reduce the price of a 50kg maize seed bag though he did not specify the new price. A bag is currently sold at Sh4,500.
  • Maize Necrosis Disease ravaged up to 5,000 acres in Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Trans Nzoia Counties. Soil acidity also accounted greatly to losses incurred by farmers this year.

Deputy President William Ruto has said the maximum amount the government would buy a 90kg bag of maize was Sh2,800.

Speaking at Ziwa AIC Church on Sunday, the DP said the price would not be changed though the government would subsidise fertiliser and seeds in the next planting season.

“Let us accept this price this year because it is what the government can afford,” Mr Ruto said.

The DP added that the price of fertiliser would be lowered to Sh1,800 from the current Sh2,000.

This could be a relief to thousands of North Rift maize farmers who opposed last week’s announcement of Sh2,200 for a 90kg bag. They wanted a bag to go for Sh3,500.

Middlemen took advantage of the delayed purchase by the National Cereals and Produce Board to buy a sack of maize for as low as Sh1,200.

ADOPT MODERN TECHNIQUES

Mr Ruto said the prices of other crucial inputs would also be lowered before the next planting season.

“We are aware that the recently announced price may not be what our farmers expected but they can be assured that next year’s cultivation will be less costly,” the Deputy President said.

He also hinted at plans to reduce the price of a 50kg maize seed bag though he did not specify the new price. A bag is currently sold at Sh4,500.

However, the DP said farmers should adopt modern techniques.

“We should learn to produce quality maize because the market is free and competition is very stiff,” he told the farmers.

He also told them to take their produce to NCPB depots quickly in order to beat the last minute rush.

At the same time, leaders from North Rift, the country’s bread basket, have appealed to the government to increase the price of a sack of maize to Sh3,500.

Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said the price set was very low but added that farmers needed to take advantage of county-sponsored soil testing programme to increase their produce.

MAIZE NECROSIS
Maize Necrosis Disease ravaged up to 5,000 acres in Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Trans Nzoia Counties. Soil acidity also accounted greatly to losses incurred by farmers this year.

Some leaders from Trans Nzoia, led by Saboti MP David Wafula, said farmers would make losses if they sold their produce to the NCPB at the price set last week.

“Fertiliser was subsidised long after farmers had planted their maize. The new price is still very low,” he said.

He accused the Agriculture Ministry of poor planning which he said was evident through the delayed purchase of maize.

“The government should quickly address this situation or we will withdraw our support for the Jubilee Coalition,” he spoke at a youth football tournament in Matisi.

Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said the government was killing one of the greatest contributors to the GDP through setting low prices for maize and doing away with incentives.

“Maize farming is one of the country’s top earners. Killing it will definitely affect the country’s economic growth,” Dr Wamalwa said at Matumbai on Saturday.

NO ECONOMIC SENSE
Separately, West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo claimed there was a deliberate move to kill agriculture in the North Rift and western Kenya.

“The same people who destabilised the market for sugarcane farmers in Western Kenya have shifted focus to maize farmers in the North Rift,” Prof Lonyangapuo said.

Kenya National farmers Federation Trans Nzoia County chairman William Kimosong said the Sh2,300 per 90kg bag price announced on Wednesday did not make economic sense.

Mr Kimosong called on the Agriculture Cabinet secretary Felix Koskei to raise the price to at least Sh3,000.