It is, therefore, surprising to hear Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya say that the government will not buy maize from Kenyan farmers. AVERT SHORTAGEAdvertisementThe government, which has always played a vital role in buying grain from farmers through the National Cereals and Produce Board, has, according to CS Munya, withdrawn from the business of buying or importing grain. The Agriculture ministry should be thinking seriously about how to enable the mopping up of all the maize stocks that farmers are still holding to help avert the looming shortage. By buying from local farmers, the government will put some money into their pockets and enable them to meet their other pressing requirements. CORRUPTIONImports should only be sanctioned after all the maize the farmers are holding is bought.

Source: Daily Nation April 04, 2020 19:30 UTC