Government has futher disclosed that it is remaining with only 1.2
million bags of maize as its strategic reserves instead of the usual
four to six million bags.
Addressing the media today, following a meeting with millers,
Agriculture minister William Ruto, however assured Kenyans the
government had put in place measures to address the food crisis, saying
there was no cause for panic at this stage.
The maize situation is under control … the Government is on top of the situation, Mr Ruto told the media.
During the meeting, it was also reported that while the millers agreed
to continue supplying maize flour to consumers at a standard price, but
they however said they had no control over retail pricing which is
reported to have shot to sometimes more than double the price.
Kenya is a bit optimistic that its grain crisis could soften soon as
the government is looking for alternative and harvesting in grain
basket districts of the North Rift continue to early January.
We also continue as a government to look at ways of making supplies to millers easier, Mr Ruto said.
Millers have also been assured that within next few weeks they could
start buying direct from farmers instead of having to depend on ration
buying from the government stocks.
Kenya has recently committed to increasing its budget allocation to
agriculture, with president Mwai Kibaki encouraging and urging,
especially small-holder farmers to shoulder the burden of food
security. He had also encourgaed them to adopt new technologies to
improve their production and enhance their earnings.
By staff writer