Published on 11/10/2010
By Vitalis Kimutai and Osinde Obare

Farmers in maize producing counties have urged the Government to increase producer prices to Sh3,000 for a 90kg bag. The farmers said the Sh1,500 offered by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) was too little, and there was need to double it to cushion growers from incurring losses. Mr Kipkorir Menjo, a director with the Kenya Farmers Association, presented the demands at a press conference in Eldoret town. They said middlemen were raking in huge profits by purchasing a 90kg bag for Sh900. “Farmers fear that the opening up of the East African Community and Common Market for Eastern and South Africa will give farmers from neighbouring countries an edge over local farmers,” Menjo said.

The farmers demanded that Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgei call a meeting with farmers to address the myriad issues raised and allay fears Kenya would not be a dumping ground for produce from neighboring countries.  “Most farmers who took loans from Agricultural Finance Corporation have been issued with demand notices for failure to service the loans due to poor producer prices, yet the Government seems not to be bothered,” Menjo said.

Threaten boycott
Meanwhile, farmers in Trans-Nzoia County have threatened not to deliver their maize to the NCPB unless the Government offers better prices. Led by Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, the farmers announced plans to press the Government to increase the price to Sh2,500 a bag. “We are disappointed by the poor price. We will not deliver our crop to the NCPB until the Government offered better prices,” said Kuttuny.He added: “We spend about Sh1,500 to produce a bag of maize and the Government is giving us the same amount. This means we are not gaining anything from the business.” He said the poor prices have discouraged farmers from taking advantage of the ongoing rains to grow crops.