Farmers to deliver wheat to NCPB from March 4 after state intervention
The directive comes in response to concerns raised by farmers who have been stuck with 321,000 bags of wheat after last season's harvest.
Starting Tuesday, farmers across the country will begin delivering their wheat stock to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) as the government moves to address the crisis of unsold grain.
Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed all farmers and aggregators to take their wheat to NCPB warehouses, with payments set to be made within 30 days after delivery.
The directive comes in response to concerns raised by farmers who have been stuck with 321,000 bags of wheat after last season's harvest.
The move is part of broader government efforts to prevent a crisis in the wheat sector, ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their produce and promoting self-sufficiency in wheat production.
Many, especially from Narok, had decried a lack of buyers, with millers preferring to purchase cheaper imported wheat over locally grown produce.
Kagwe cautioned against any attempts to manipulate the process by introducing imported wheat into NCPB stores, warning that those caught would face legal action.
"We will not allow anyone to sabotage this process by bringing in imported wheat. Those found doing so will be arrested," he stated.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCPB and millers is expected to be signed today, paving the way for millers to collect wheat from the board. According to the agreement, farmers will receive payment within 14 to 21 days once the millers collect their stock.
The government is also looking to boost local wheat production by reducing reliance on imports.
CS Kagwe has set a target to increase locally produced wheat from the current 8 per cent of millers' demand to over 40 per cent.
The collection of wheat through NCPB is also expected to help establish a comprehensive database of farmers, which will be used to distribute subsidized fertilizer and lower production costs.
Kagwe made the announcement after a meeting at Kilimo House on Monday, where he engaged key stakeholders, including Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh, NCPB Managing Director Samuel Karogo, Agriculture and Food Authority Director General Bruno Linyiru, and Agriculture Secretary Collins Marangu.
Representatives from the Cereal Millers Association (CMA), led by CEO Paloma Fernandez and Vice Chair Beju Shah, as well as the Cereal Growers Association (CGA), led by CEO Anthony Kioko, were also present.
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