The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development projects that farmers will produce approximately 75.9 million 50 kg bags of maize during the long rains season, based on the cultivation of 1.64 million hectares and an estimated average yield of 42 bags per acre.
Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja noted that the total annual maize production is expected to reach 94.4 million bags, based on a projected total annual acreage of 2.71 million hectares.
“The past two seasons have been favourable in terms of weather, supported by the government’s fertilizer subsidy and input supply. The food situation in the country is currently stable,” Karanja stated.
The CS also announced that the government has instructed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to purchase one million 90 kg bags of maize for the strategic food reserve at a price of Sh3,500 per bag.
Karanja explained that while there is pressure to buy maize at higher prices, a careful analysis revealed that the cost of production has slightly decreased.
CS Andrew Karanja addressing the media.
Last year, farmers received government-subsidized fertilizer at Sh3,500 per bag, whereas this year it is retailing at Sh2,500 per bag.
He further addressed the challenge of balancing the price of maize with that of unga.
“If the price of maize increases, the cost of unga will also rise. Currently, a packet of unga is retailing at an average of Sh120,” he said.
