Maize price drops #kenya

The price of maize has dropped by more than 60
per cent in parts of North Rift and Western Kenya.
The National Cereals and Produce Board has not
opened its depots to puchase the crop from
farmers.
Maize is going for about Sh1,600 per 90kg bag in
Lugari, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu. The price is
a drop from the Sh3,600, which is usually offered
by the NCPB.
"We want the NCPB to open up the depots so
that it can help to control the prices. Middlemen
are already exploiting us by offering low prices,"
said Richard Singoei yesterday in Eldoret town.
The government has promised to use Sh3 billion
to buy maize from farmers through the NCPB.
Agriculture Secretary Felix Koskei has indicated
that the government will provide the money to
buy the maize. There are however no indications
on when the puchase will begin.