Dealers tamed as maize farmers restricted to number of bags they can deliver

Image result for national cereals and produce boardThe National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has capped the purchase of maize at 400 bags worth Sh1 million, as the government moves to tame traders and large-scale holders who have been accused of abusing the window at the expense of small-scale farmers.

According to the government, any registered farmer with more than 400 bags of the produce must be cleared by the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR).

The SFR, which is buying two million bags from growers this year, says brokers, traders and middlemen are not eligible to sell their grain to the board.

“The purchase targets smallholder farmers with up to 400 bags of 90kg, brokers, middlemen and traders are not eligible,” says ministry of Agriculture in a statement.Image result for national cereals and produce board

This comes just a year after a serious breach by the management of NCPB in purchasing of the 2017 crop, where traders were allowed to sell their maize to the board.

This locked out genuine farmers as the stores were filled before they could deliver.

The laxity saw top officials of the board dismissed and charged in court for not taming the mess at the grain agency.

The Board is set to start buying maize following President Kenyatta’s order.

The President said the board would buy a 90kg bag for Sh2,500, up from Sh2,300 that the Cabinet had approved.

NCPB officials on Monday said stores would open from Wednesday after the Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund (SFRTF) gave the green light to buy the maize.

Farmers in the North Rift have been queuing at NCPB depots to deliver their maize. Depots in Nakuru witnessed long queues Monday.Image result for Albin Sang

“Despite the directive, we were still waiting for authorisation by the SFRTF, which liaises with the Treasury to wire funds for the purchase of the produce,” NCPB Managing Director Albin Sang said.

The board was waiting for the SFRTF to issue approval to buy gunny bags and registers of vetted farmers, he added.

“Farmers who have not been cleared by the national and devolved governments might have to wait a little longer to deliver their maize,” he said.

He asked those queuing at the NCPB depots to leave.

“Suppliers must be vetted to weed out cartels who might have imported maize and are targeting NCPB,” Mr Sang said.Image result for Albin Sang

However, farmers in the North Rift yesterday issued a two-day ultimatum to the government to start buying their maize or face demonstrations.

“We are ready to pressure government departments to implement the directive by paralysing transport in towns,” Mr Jackson Kwambai from Moiben in Uasin Gishu County said.

Many farmers said they were unhappy with the government’s offer and that they would only sell their maize to the NCPB to avoid exploitation by brokers.

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