Heavy rains in the North-rift threaten Food security!
-the pounding heavy rains being experienced in the region have greatly affected wheat and maize farms-,
A bodaboda rider carrying passengers along a flooded road in Kimumu Ward,Moiben Sub County/Photo Courtesy
By Nassor Ramadhan
Farmers in the North Rift region have decried high fuel prices saying it will cut down on their expected profits .
Led by Kimutai Arap Kolum, a farmer from Soy constituency, Uasin Gishu County , the farmers have cited the recent increase in fuel prices will increase the cost of production ,
“We would rather have bought fertilizers at ten thousand shillings but buy fuel at affordable prices,the cost of fuel adds up to the high cost of production in our farms ,” Decried Kimutai.
According to Kimutai fuel is a determining factor in agricultural production and farmers doing silage are experiencing difficulties owing to the high pump prices .
Kimutai further reiterated that the pounding heavy rains being experienced in the region have greatly affected wheat farms ,
“Most of our wheat farms are water clogged , we have had heavy winds that affected the farms and this has made it difficult for wheat harvesting”Opined Kolum.
Regarding maize harvesting and drying , the farmers have called upon the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to provide readily available maize drying machines in order to avoid build up of aflatoxins .
“Agriculture cabinet secretary Mithika Linturi promised us grain drying machines, but the machines are yet to arrive in Uasin Gishu County so that we can start the harvesting in two to three weeks, we could end up losing much of our harvest due to the heavy rains” Added Kolum
We are also urging the government to open The National Cereals and Produce Board NCPB and commence the purchasing of maize at prices not below Ksh 5,000.
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