The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated the collection of 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to tackle the ongoing wheat crisis. Farmers will be compensated within 30 days post-delivery, with a warning issued against delivering imported wheat. The plan aims to increase local production and support farmers who have faced challenges selling their surplus wheat.
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will commence the collection of 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers to address the current wheat crisis in Kenya. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has instructed the NCPB to ensure that payments to farmers are processed within 30 days of delivery to the designated warehouses across the nation.
Furthermore, Cabinet Secretary Kagwe issued a strict warning against individuals attempting to disrupt this initiative by delivering imported wheat to the NCPB. Those found engaging in such actions will face arrest for undermining the government’s efforts to stabilise the wheat supply chain.
According to the statement, a memorandum of understanding will be established between the NCPB and millers, stipulating that the wheat collected from NCPB will be handed over to millers, who will complete payments within 14 to 21 days. His objective is to decrease wheat imports while increasing local production from the current 8% to above 40% to meet the demands of millers.
This initiative is particularly beneficial for farmers in Narok County, who have recently faced challenges in selling their wheat following a successful harvest. Many farmers have expressed frustration over their inability to find a market since they began harvesting in August of the previous year, leading to public protests by wheat farmers in Narok.
In light of these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture has proposed solutions, ensuring farmers will receive KSh 5,300 per bag for Grade 1 wheat and KSh 5,200 for Grade 2 wheat, addressing the market access issues previously faced by wheat producers.
The efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture and the NCPB to collect wheat from local farmers represent a significant step toward resolving the wheat crisis in Kenya. The emphasis on local production and ensuring prompt payments for farmers reflects a commitment to supporting the agricultural sector. Moreover, the measures taken aim to prevent disruption from external wheat imports, promoting self-sufficiency in wheat production.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
