Government to import maize to increase grain reserves
The Government is set to spend over 3 billion shillings to import 1.5 million bags of maize in the next three months in a bid to address the acute shortage of cereals in the country. Agriculture Minister William Ruto said a further 5 billion shillings would be spent to purchase maize from local farmers in a bid to boost grain reserves. He said the Government will import grains from South Africa, North America and parts of Europe through the National Cereals and produce Board. Maize production in the country was adversely affected by the post elections violence earlier in the year with the most productive regions in the Rift Valley Province worst hit. Ruto asked farmers not to panic over the importation as the Government would still purchase their maize at favorable prices.
End…SILVANOH CHUMBA