Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked farmers to sell their maize now before imported grains arrive and disrupt market prices.
When he opened the Eldoret National Agricultural Society of Kenya Show on March 3, 2023, the Deputy President stated that it is the government’s responsibility to prioritize and protect the interests of farmers first.
“We have decided to import maize to plug in the deficit. Maize imports will lower the cost of maize. I strongly urge you to put maize on the market. “Release the main in your stores to take advantage of the current low prices,” he said.
According to DP Gachagua, imported maize will be tax-free and thus cheaper. Farmers will suffer losses despite their efforts, he added.
DP Gachagua stated that importation is critical in lowering the cost of living before government measures such as fertilizer subsidies bear fruit and that in a few months, the price of a 2kg bag of maize meal will drop from Sh180 to Sh130 or less.
Since fertilizer has been delivered to the National Cereals Board, the Deputy President has directed governors to distribute the bags to sub-counties so that farmers can easily access them.
