President William Ruto on Wednesday directed the Kenya National Cereals and Produce Board (KNCPB) officials to ensure that all rice farmers in Migori get a market for their produce.
Ruto, while addressing residents of Migori, ordered the cereals and produce board officials to work closely with the Migori County Government to ensure the farmers’ grievances are resolved within the next one week.
During the rally, the Head of State noted that most rice farmers incurred huge losses due to a lack of market for their produce yet Kenyans in other parts of the country grappled with food insecurity.
"I have been informed that you have rice but with no market to sell it, now that I am here, I want to direct the National Produce and Cereals Board to work with Governor Ochillo Ayacko, let them hold a meeting next week to resolve the matter," President Ruto directed.
"I want to instruct the National Cereals and Produce Board to make sure the rice farmers have a market for their produce, in the next one week we should have a way forward."
According to Ruto, there was no bigger loss than when a farmer produced food and got stranded with it inside the store after using huge amounts of money and energy.
The Head of State assured the residents of the government's commitment to resolving the matter as soon as possible to ensure seamless food production.
Ruto's directive comes hardly a day after the government secured Ksh30 million to boost rice production in the country and reduce its importation.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja while addressing the 6th Kore-Africa Food Summit in Nairobi disclosed the government's plan to cut rice imports by 50 per cent in the next five years.
He noted that Kenya imported about 800,000 to 1 million tonnes of rice annually as compared to the local production which ranged between 150,000 tonnes and 200,000 tones of rice yearly.
“This disparity places a significant financial burden on the government each year as we must allocate substantial resources to bridge the gap,” the CS noted.
Karanja stated that the goal would be achieved by adopting a high-yield rice variety and adopting modern technology in rice farming.
