Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged farmers to sell their maize before imported grains arrive, which will disrupt the current market prices.
Speaking during the official opening of the Eldoret National Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show yesterday, Gachagua said it is the responsibility of the government to prioritize and protect the interest of the farmers first.
“We have decided to import maize to plug in the deficit. Imported maize will reduce the cost of maize. I urge you to release maize into the market. Release the main in your stores to enjoy the current favorable prices.” The DP noted.
He added that imported maize will be tax-free and therefore cheaper.
“This will cause losses to farmers yet they have toiled.” He added.
To boost production, Gachagua directed relevant government agencies to crack down on suppliers of fake planting materials. He called on the famers to also exercise caution in purchasing farm inputs as this will ensure high production.
He assured the farmers that ongoing reforms in the coffee, tea and dairy subsector will continue and farmers will enjoy better prices. He said the government has issued a directive to the Kenya Dairy Board to stop milk from outside.
“We have stopped the importation of powdered milk for local farmers to enjoy better prices. We do not want one person to dominate the market. No more licensing of imported powdered milk.” He added.
As part of the ongoing reforms in the coffee sub-sector, the Deputy President said the government will introduce new regulations to streamline the market and demolish cartels and brokers who have driven farmers into poverty.
In the long-term plans of enhancing food security, Gachagua said more land is being brought under irrigation.
“We have a paltry 540,000 acres under irrigation- representing just 2 percent of the total land under farming. This is just 16 percent of our irrigation potential of 3.3 million acres. We will bring an additional 500,000 acres under irrigation by the year 2026. This initiative will progressively save the country Sh87.5 billion worth of food imports and create 3 million jobs among other benefits,” the Deputy President said.
In mitigating the negative effects of climate change, the DP urged farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture.
“In climate-smart agriculture, we are called upon to integrate crop and animal production into environmental management practices in a balanced and complementary manner. We must invest in technology to receive and understand weather and seasons better and in real-time,” he said.
He also urged the farmers to integrate the growing of 15 billion trees by 2032 into their activities, to increase forest cover.
