This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
Published on May 9, 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that Kenya has sufficient food supplies to last through the Covid-19 crisis. According to Anne Nyaga, the Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, planned maize imports will fill the gap between June and July 2020.
Ms. Nyaga stated that farmers across the country are selling their maize to various millers at market rates, indicating a sufficient local supply to meet current demand. The ministry's food balance sheet shows an anticipated surplus of 3,450,869 (90kg) bags of maize, 2,577,915 bags of beans, 737,822 bags of wheat, and 411,580 bags of rice by the end of June.
The ministry is also working to dispose of 124,625 (50kg) bags of condemned maize stocks due to aflatoxin contamination. Tharaka Nithi county governor Muthomi Njuki confirmed that the government has enough food up to June, with the anticipated deficit addressed through planned maize imports.
Due to the role of livestock trade in the spread of Covid-19, the ministry has shut down six major livestock markets. The ministry has also noted an increase in cereal prices, particularly maize and rice, due to market disruptions and transportation issues.
The government has implemented measures to stabilize prices, including increasing local rice production through the Kenya National Trading Cooperation (KNTC). Rice farmers have already received Sh165 million for produce delivered to KNTC depots.
In response to the Covid-19 effects on the fisheries sub-sector, the ministry will provide fish drying racks for various fish species. The government has also introduced guidelines for sausage makers and mobile sausage vendors.
