President William Ruto has indicated that no permits will be issued to millers to import wheat or maize into the country.
This move according to him is aimed at protecting local farmers and stabilising prices.
Affirming governments commitment to the farmers, he stressed that the government will only deviate from this directive if the local produce is insufficient.
The President pointed out that the government will allocate Ksh 4 billion to buy maize from farmers.
He was speaking last Thursday at State House, Nairobi, when he met a delegation from Narok North Constituency led by its MP Agnes Pareiyo.
Also in the meeting were Governors Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Jonathan Leleliit (Samburu), Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, MCAs and grassroots leaders.
“We ask our farmers not to sell their produce at throw-away prices.”
To reduce post-harvest losses over high moisture, the Head of State announced that NCPB driers will be used to dry farmers maize at a minimal fee of Ksh 50.
This is from a high of nearly Sh400 a bag.
“Even if farmers don’t want to sell their maize to NCPB, they will have an opportunity to dry their produce at the State agency and store it,” he explained.
The President said a KCC milk plant will be constructed in Narok to improve milk quality and thus boost prices.
