Kenya Government bans maize & wheat imports to protect local farmers
The Kenyan government has banned maize & wheat imports to protect local farmers from the effects of cheap foreign produce. Millers can only import wheat after fully utilizing local supplies. Wheat production in Rift Valley has dropped, partly due to climate challenges and market volatility. To support farmers, the Agriculture and Food Authority raised wheat prices, and the government has imported subsidized fertilizers to boost production. Kenya aims to reduce its food import bill by prioritizing local agriculture
The government has banned wheat imports to safeguard local farmers from the influx of cheap foreign produce that disrupts market prices.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kipronoh Ronoh announced the decision in Eldoret, stating that millers will only be allowed to import wheat after fully utilising local produce at competitive rates and ensuring farmers are promptly paid.
“No miller dealing in wheat will be allowed to import the produce until all the wheat locally produced is mopped up and utilised by the millers,” Ronoh said.
The government aims to encourage increased wheat production and shield farmers from exploitation. Kenya produces approximately 2.2 million metric tonnes of wheat annually, which accounts for only five per cent of local demand. The deficit is met through imports.
Ronoh acknowledged that many farmers have not been paid for their wheat by millers but meetings have been held to resolve payment issues and ensure farmers receive their dues.
Wheat production in Rift Valley has declined, with the region producing 4.5 million bags last season from 127,825 hectares of land, falling short of the annual potential of 6.2 million bags. Uasin Gishu County, a major producer, reported a significant drop in acreage under wheat cultivation, attributed to rust, climate change, and market volatility.
To support farmers, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has revised the minimum purchase price for top-grade wheat, raising it by Sh100. Millers must now pay Sh5,300 for a 90-kilogramme bag of Grade 1 wheat and Sh5,200 for Grade 2, while the price of Grade 3 wheat remains negotiable.
However, farmers have expressed dissatisfaction, noting that millers were offering Sh4,800 during the harvest period, which they deemed insufficient to offset rising production costs.
Bread prices have also risen in recent months, with a 400-gramme loaf increasing to Sh80 from Sh70, and an 800-gramme loaf now selling at Sh130, up from Sh120. Bakers have attributed this to reduced wheat flour supply and other factors.
Ronoh highlighted that the government has imported one million bags of subsidised fertiliser for distribution in counties such as Bomet, Narok, Bungoma, Nyamira, and Kisii during the short rain planting season.
Additionally, the Kenya Seed Company has 28 million kilogrammes of maize seeds available for January planting, with plans to produce an additional eight million kilogrammes to meet the demand for the upcoming planting seasons.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has also purchased maize worth Sh336 million from farmers this season.
Farmers delivering maize to NCPB have reportedly received payments promptly. The board plans to buy one million bags of maize at Sh3,500 per 90-kilogramme bag for the National Strategic Food Reserve, with an allocation of Sh3.5 billion.
Outgoing Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja defended the maize price set by the government, arguing that it would support farmers and maintain stable Unga prices. He projected a bumper harvest of 75 million bags this season, compared to the 40-60 million bags achieved last season.
However, North Rift maize farmers have expressed scepticism about the optimistic projections, citing substandard fertiliser distributed under the government’s subsidy scheme and erratic weather as key challenges.
The Kenya Kwanza administration has pledged to eliminate maize imports by 2025, with President William Ruto committing to prioritising agriculture to boost local productivity and reduce the country’s Sh500 billion annual food import bill.
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Source : Eastleigh Voice
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