Narok farmers welcome CS Kagwe’s directive to clear wheat harvests after standoff

Wheat farmers in Narok have welcomed a directive from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to deliver their stock to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

The farmers held a consultative meeting with the Cereals Growers Association and the County Government on Wednesday, stating that they have resolved the stalemate.

Narok County Agriculture CEC Joyce Keshe asserted that farmers will be paid between 14 to 21 days and the prices will not be changed.

“The farmers are contented that the prices remained the same as Grade one is Ksh.5,300 and Grade 2 Ksh.5,300,” she said.

“We had a lot of barley and by end of today the silos will be cleared and they will be preserved purely for wheat.”

Echoing her sentiments, NCPB South Rift Regional Manager Emily Okwai urged farmers to take advantage of the exercise and deliver all their harvests.

On his part, Narok Famers Association representative Stanley Koonyo noted that the farmers are willing to comply with the agreed resolutions.

“We urge them to make haste and pay farmers on time to allow them during the planting season,” he said.

Farmers had staged protests in Narok over alleged elite market control, which they claimed has limited their ability to sell their produce.

Meanwhile, Kagwe has maintained that there is need to upscale local wheat production to improve livelihoods and cut on imports.

The Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) announced on Tuesday that Kenya produces only 8% of its annual wheat demand, relying on 92% in imports.

The food watchdog noted that despite efforts to boost local production consumption, demand has been significantly spiking, prompting imports from Russia, Ukraine, and the EU.