The Ministry of Agriculture has moved to address the escalating wheat crisis, announcing that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will begin procuring 321,000 bags of wheat directly from local farmers. This intervention aims to provide much-needed relief to farmers grappling with a glut following a bumper harvest.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has issued a firm directive to the NCPB, mandating that farmers receive payment within 30 days of delivering their wheat to designated warehouses nationwide. This swift payment promise is intended to alleviate the financial strain faced by many farmers who have struggled to find buyers for their produce.
In a move to ensure the integrity of the procurement process, Kagwe issued a stern warning against those attempting to offload imported wheat through the NCPB. He declared that any individual caught attempting to sabotage the process by passing off imported wheat as locally grown will face immediate arrest.
“In a memorandum of understanding to be signed between the NCPB and the Millers, the wheat from the NCPB will be collected by millers and payments done within 14 to 21 days,” the Ministry stated, outlining the streamlined process for millers to acquire the procured wheat.
Kagwe has also expressed a strong commitment to bolstering domestic wheat production. He aims to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on wheat imports by increasing local production from the current 8% to over 40% of the demand from millers. This ambitious goal underscores the government’s determination to empower local farmers and strengthen the country’s food security.
The announcement has been met with relief by wheat farmers, particularly those in Narok County, who have been vocal about their struggles to sell their harvest. Protests erupted in the region as farmers expressed their frustration over the lack of a viable market for their crops, despite a successful harvest.
The Ministry has also clarified the pricing structure, assuring farmers that they will receive Sh5,300 per bag for Grade 1 wheat and Sh5,200 for Grade 2 wheat. This pricing aims to provide a fair return for their hard work and investment.
The government’s intervention marks a significant step towards resolving the wheat crisis and ensuring a more stable and prosperous future for local wheat farmers.
