Govt begins purchase of 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers

The government has announced plans to begin buying wheat from farmers through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCBP).

In a meeting held on Monday with industry stakeholders, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government will purchase 321,000 bags of wheat from farmers who had been stranded with the produce.

Kagwe has directed farmers and aggregators with wheat to deliver their stock to NCPB depots beginning March 4, 2025.

According to Kagwe, farmers who would have delivered their produce will be receive their payments within 30 days after delivery to the warehouses across the country.

A statement from the agriculture ministry indicates that NCPB will has also sign a memorandum of understanding with millers to ensure the wheat is collected and payments done within 14 to 21 days.

However, the government has issued a stern warning on those who will hijack the exercise by delivering imported wheat to the NCPB warehouses as they will be arrested for sabotaging the process.

According to Kagwe, the government is targeting to reduce wheat imports by ensuring local wheat production rises from 8pc to 40pc to meet millers’ demand.

During the exercise, NCPB also plans to build a database which will be used to issue subsidized fertiliser to wheat farmers and reduce the cost of production.