The government has affirmed its commitment to curbing post harvest losses and wastage that maize farmers usually incur.
Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria says this is part of their efforts to ensure the country achieves food security.
Speaking in Trans Nzoia County during the County Aggregation and Industrial Park groundbreaking ceremony, Kuria said the government has already set aside Ksh2 billion to procure driers.
“Last week, we had our cabinet meeting in Kakamega where our President William Ruto directed us to buy driers so that we completely deal with post harvest losses,” CS Kuria said.
He further said the cabinet approved allocation to buy the driers expected to land in the country in a months time.
The CS noted that post harvest losses is a threat to government’s commitment to ensuring all Kenyans are food secure.
“If we really want to lower the cost of living as we promised Kenyans in our campaigns, then we have to address post harvest losses and unnecessary wastage,” he added.
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On his part, Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang said some farmers are worried because they have harvested their crops and are unable to dry their produce due to the heavy rains.
“Our farmers who really work hard to feed the country are struggling now to dry their maize. We there ask that the driers should be availed as soon as possible so that reduce losses,” Chesang said.
He also called for opening of the National Cereals and Produce Board stores as well as announcement of maize prices so that farmers can deliver their produce to the depots.
Every year, Trans Nzoia farmers harvest over 5 million bags of 90 kilogram maize.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 30 to 40 percent of fresh produce is lost after harvesting due to poor storage, processing and transportation.
