According to several maize farmers in the Rift Valley, the new price of Sh3,000 per 90kg bag will do little to uplift their fortunes.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) offered to buy maize from farmers for Sh1,305 per 50kg bag.
After that, the price was reduced to Sh2,700 per 90kg bag, before being raised to Sh3,000 on Wednesday.
While some farmers are pleased, others believe it is too little, too late in comparison to the costs of inputs.
We will sell Maize to the highest bidders
Farmers, he continued, have stocks but choose to sell them to other players at the farm gate for greater rates and less terms.
They now requesting that the government fix maize producer prices at Sh3,500 in order to make the crop profitable.
NCPB evaluated maize pricing at Sh3,000 when farmers’ inventories were depleted, according to Ruth Kemboi, chair of Kenya National Farmers Federation (Kenaff), Uasin Gishu branch.
“The decision comes as a tremendous shock to farmers, as most of us have sold our corn to pay school fees. Producers that rely on the sub-sector were also harmed by the Covid-19 outbreak,” added Kemboi.
Cornelius Kering, a farmer from Soy in Uasin Gishu, assessed the price as ‘not awful,’ but predicted that in the free market, prices would rise to around Sh4,000.
“I haven’t yet shelled my maize.” “Once I’ve decided to shell and sell it, I’ll make an offer to whoever offers me the best market rate,” Kering added.
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