Narok: It's a big relief for the wheat farmers in Narok County after the Ministry of Agriculture moved to mop up all the wheat to create room for the next harvest. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Agriculture and Food Authority, Dr. Bruno Linyiru, instructed all farmers with wheat in their homes to deliver the produce to the nearest National and Cereal Produce Board (NCPB) as they await their payment in less than 30 days. Dr. Linyiru spoke at the Narok town NCPB, where he noted that already the depot had received 1,200 bags and 12 trucks were on the queue to deliver the produce. He was accompanied by the Cereal Growers Association's (CGA) chairman, Antony Kioko, and farmers' representatives from Narok County.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Linyiru stated that the uncollected wheat amounts to about 321,000 bags, which they expect to be collected soon due to their capacity. He expressed satisfaction with the smooth intake process. Dr. Linyiru also praised the government program to sell farmers subsidized fertilizer, highlighting that the initiative increased wheat harvest from 1.7 million bags in 2023 to 1.9 million bags in 2024. He emphasized the need to reduce wheat importation, as the country currently produces only 8 percent of what is consumed, necessitating the import of 92 percent from other countries.
Kioko thanked the government for responding to their concerns and urged all farmers to deliver their wheat to the nearest NCPB depot. He mentioned that they have been working on a program to ensure locally produced wheat is utilized before importing from outside, believing this will resolve their issues. Narok CGA chairman Stanely Koonyo highlighted storage as a major challenge that prompted farmers to hold demonstrations to voice their complaints. He urged farmers to respect the department of agriculture's decision and deliver their produce to NCPB, where millers will collect it.
The move comes a few days after Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed farmers and aggregators to deliver their stock to NCPB following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Board and millers.