Agriculture CS Peter Munya talks about insufficient Mazie in Kenya
Agriculture CS Peter Munya talks about insufficient Maize in Kenya for the whole year. PHOTO | NMG

The government has allowed the importation of four million bags of maize to avert a food crisis as it battles the spread of Covid-19.


Heavy rains in the past eight months resulted in floods, destroying crops hence little grains reached NCPB.


The quarterly food security outlook released last month by the Famine Early Warning System Network revealed that at least 17 counties in the dry regions will suffer food deficits between February and May.


Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said the government would import two million bags of white maize for human consumption and another two million bags of yellow maize to be processed as animal feed.


The Cabinet secretary said there is enough food in Kenya to last several months. He added that traders hoarding food to create artificial shortages would be prosecuted.


The white and yellow maize will attract 14 and 10 per cent excise duty respectively to protect local farmers, the minister said.


“I would like to assure Kenyans that the government has put in place the necessary mechanisms to avert potential food shortages. The national and county governments are working together to ensure agricultural operations continue and that safe food is available, accessible and affordable,” he said.

Post a Comment

What is your say on this

أحدث أقدم