Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria castigated maize farmers for allegedly blackmailing the government to buy their crop.
He was speaking to journalist Jeff Koinange on his popular interview show when he claimed that the government was not contractually obligated to buy the cereals from them.
He stated, “When did we agree that someone goes to his farm and plants maize with the sole intention to sell to the government? Did the government write you a letter to plant maize? So that you say now[sic] the government is breaching a contract?”
He explained that the farmers invested in agriculture in their own volition so they should not dictate the price at which the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) should offer them.
He also attacked the cereal producers by claiming that maize from Uganda was so much cheaper compared to the local production, yet they receive subsidies from the government while Ugandan farmers do not.
Kuria recommended that the strategic grain reserve is allowed to source cereals from anywhere because its primary function was to feed Kenyans not take care of farmers.
Farmers have remained adamant that they will not accept the government’s price of Kshs 2,300 per 90kg bag.
“The government bought produce from farmers last year at Sh3,200 per 90 kg bag and it is quite abnormal to lower this to Sh2,300 this year when production costs have escalated,” said Kipkorir Menjo, Kenya Farmers Association director North Rift.
Moiben MP Silas Tiren noted that the cost of producing a 90kg bag of maize is Kshs 2,700 and it is unfair for the government to deny farmers better returns.
Trans Nzoia farmers threatened to boycott maize production over the price drop terming it a major blow to farming and warned the government of a reduction in food production.
