•Government Moves to Stabilize Wheat Sector, Vows Action Against Importation Fraud
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) is set to purchase 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers across the country in a bid to stabilize the struggling market and support local producers.
The intervention, directed by Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, comes amid concerns over low wheat prices and an influx of imports that have undermined local farmers.
Government Directives and Payment Commitments
Speaking at Kilimo House after a high-level meeting with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector, CS Kagwe instructed all wheat farmers and aggregators to deliver their stock to NCPB depots starting Tuesday morning.
He assured farmers that payments will be processed within 30 days of delivery, a move aimed at providing financial relief and ensuring that farmers do not face prolonged delays in receiving their dues.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NCPB and millers will facilitate the offloading of the collected wheat.
According to Kagwe, millers will collect the wheat from NCPB stores and process payments within 14 to 21 days.
This structured approach is expected to enhance efficiency in wheat distribution and reduce the market glut that has left farmers grappling with unsustainable prices.
Crackdown on Imported Wheat and Market Sabotage
In a stern warning, the CS cautioned against unscrupulous individuals attempting to infiltrate the process by supplying imported wheat to NCPB under the guise of local production.
Kagwe declared that any such attempts would be treated as economic sabotage, with perpetrators facing legal action.
His remarks signal the government’s commitment to safeguarding local farmers from unfair competition posed by cheaper wheat imports.
In recent years, Kenya has relied heavily on imported wheat, with local production meeting only about 8% of the national demand.
The government now aims to reverse this trend and increase local wheat production to over 40%.
High-Level Consultations with Industry Players
The policy direction was formulated following consultations with top agricultural officials, millers, and farmer representatives.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Ronoh, NCPB Managing Director Samuel Karogo, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru, and Agriculture Secretary Collins Marangu.
Key industry stakeholders, including the Agricultural Cereals Millers Association (CMA) and the Cereals Growers Association (CGA), were also present, with their respective leaders, Paloma Fernandez and Anthony Kioko, voicing their support for the initiative.
Long-Term Strategy: Reducing Wheat Imports and Supporting Farmers
CS Kagwe underscored the government’s broader strategy to bolster local wheat farming, emphasizing that increased production would not only enhance food security but also reduce dependency on costly imports.
The NCPB-led wheat collection program will also serve as a data-gathering initiative to establish a comprehensive farmer database.
This database will be instrumental in the distribution of subsidized fertilizer, further lowering production costs and improving farmer profitability.
The move aligns with the government’s wider agricultural reform agenda, which seeks to empower farmers, streamline market operations, and ensure sustainable food production.
By actively engaging millers, regulators, and farmer groups, the government hopes to create a more balanced and resilient wheat supply chain.
The decision to mop up surplus wheat and facilitate timely payments is expected to bring much-needed relief to farmers who have been struggling with low prices and slow market absorption.
With a firm stance against importation fraud and an ambitious plan to increase local production, the government’s intervention signals a shift towards a more self-sufficient wheat sector.
However, the success of this initiative will largely depend on effective implementation, transparency in the purchasing process, and continued support for farmers in the long run.
Share This Post