The NCPB is set to collect 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers to combat the wheat crisis in Kenya. Payments will be made within 30 days post-delivery, with strict measures against supplying imported wheat. Plans are in place to enhance local production, addressing recent farmer protests over unsold crops.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Kenya declared that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will initiate the collection of 321,000 bags of wheat from local farmers. This action aims to alleviate the ongoing wheat crisis affecting the nation. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed payments will be processed within 30 days after the bags are delivered to various warehouses across the country.
Kagwe warned individuals attempting to deliver imported wheat to the NCPB that such actions would be viewed as sabotage, and they risk arrest. A memorandum of understanding will require millers to collect wheat from the NCPB, ensuring that payments are made within 14 to 21 days of collection. This system aims to streamline the process, enhancing efficiency.
To bolster domestic production, Kagwe emphasized the goal of reducing wheat imports and increasing local output from the current 8% to over 40% of the total demand from millers. This initiative is particularly significant for farmers in Narok, who have been struggling to sell their wheat despite a successful harvest last year.
The farmers in Narok County protested their inability to find a market for their crop following a bumper harvest, highlighting the pressing issue of selling their produce. The Ministry’s new measures will provide farmers with Sh5,300 per bag for Grade 1 wheat and Sh5,200 for Grade 2 wheat, offering much-needed financial relief for hardworking growers.
This initiative by the NCPB to collect wheat will assist local farmers in selling their surplus produce while addressing the supply crisis. The enforcement of timely payments and increased support for local agriculture aims to reduce reliance on wheat imports and boost domestic production. This multifaceted approach responds directly to farmers’ protests and economic challenges, signaling a proactive step in agricultural policy.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
