Maize task force report recommends Ksh.3,000 per bag

Amid the growing standoff between the National Cereals and Produce board (NCPB) and maize farmers, a new report compiled by maize industry task force formed in October last year has been released.

Among the recommendations fronted is to restructure the NCPB by privatizing 80% and allowing government just 20% for board operations purposes.

The report also recommends a markup of 30% above cost of production which upon implementation will see a bag of maize extended to Ksh.3,000 shillings up from the current at Ksh.2,500 per 90 kilogram of maize.

The report is also pushing for zero rating of all agrochemicals and subsequent removal of levies and taxes on agricultural machinery.

Should the report be implemented grass-root buying aggregation centers will also be constructed at Ksh.1.5 million each to aid farmers who cannot access NCPB depots.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri while meeting the task force on Friday in Nairobi said the report will be made public next week as the ministry seeks to rectify decades of run down farming sector.

Maize farmers in agriculturally rich counties have over time expressed dissatisfaction over the procuring process and the price capped for their maize.

In a bid to tackle dissatisfaction among farmers, a taskforce was formed 3 months ago to collect farmers views and recommendation ways to restore sanity in the ailing cereals board.