This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Published on December 13, 2019, a survey by The Standard revealed that maize prices have continued to drop in Kitale as the Christmas season approaches. The decline in price has been attributed to the heavy rains that have led to significant post-harvest losses.
Some farmers, lacking proper storage facilities, are selling their grains hastily to avoid losses due to high humidity during the rainy season. This has led to middlemen taking advantage of the challenges facing farmers to dictate the market price.
Delays in the opening of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for the current season's crop have also exposed farmers to massive exploitation. Small-scale farmers, hit by a lack of storage facilities and facing other financial obligations, are forced to sell their produce at lower prices as set by traders.
According to Fredrick Rono, a farmer who has been forced to sell his maize to avoid further post-harvest losses, 'I have been forced to sell our maize to avoid more post-harvest losses since NCPB has not started buying the crop.'
Francis Koti, another farmer, added that he has disposed of part of his harvest to meet the Christmas requirements and raise money for his children's school fees at the beginning of next year. 'I have disposed of part of my harvest to meet the Christmas requirements as well as to get money to pay fees for my children.'
Tom Nyagechaga, the secretary-general of the Kenya National Federation of Farmers, blamed the national government for the price drop, saying the delay in opening the NCPB stores had opened windows to middlemen to exploit farmers.
