This archive report was first published on 9 January 2020.
On January 9, 2020, wheat growers in the North Rift region of Kenya expressed concern over the government's decision to lower import duty on wheat from 35 per cent to 10 per cent.
According to Kipkorir Menjo, Director of the Kenya Farmers Association, local farmers produce only 20 per cent of the wheat consumed in the country. He alleged that millers are now concentrating on imports, defying an agreement to exhaust local produce first.
Tom Korgoren, a farmer from Uasin Gishu County, echoed Menjo's concerns, saying the government should support farmers by ensuring that all local produce is purchased before allowing imported grain into the country.
Kimutai Kolum, another farmer, alleged that millers were using agents to buy wheat, thereby defying an agreement on quotas with the Cereal Growers Association and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Moiben MP Silas Tiren suggested that millers who flout quotas should be blacklisted.
Currently, wheat is retailing at Sh3,300 for a 90kg bag of Grade One, while Grade Two and Three are selling for Sh3,100 and Sh3,000 respectively.
