The government has announced that it has set aside about Sh500 million to purchase 5,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice from domestic producers in Kirinyaga and the surrounding counties.
The cleanup comes after Mwea Irrigation Scheme farmers expressed worries about the potential effects of imported rice on domestic crops.
“After a high-level meeting yesterday at the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society offices with key stakeholders in attendance, the Cooperative will receive full payment within one month after delivery, a significant improvement on previous delays that hampered farmers’ operations and cash flow,” said Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru.
“This move follows farmers’ concerns regarding accumulating stocks even amid rice shortages in the country.”
The AFA boss added that the cooperative will receive full payment within one month after delivery, an improvement from previous delays that hampered farmers’ operations and cash flow.
The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, directed AFA to visit the region with KNTC and find a solution.
In the fiscal year 2024–2025, Kenya produced 191,000 metric tonnes of milled rice, which is barely enough for two months, compared to a monthly requirement of over 100,000 metric tonnes.
Linyiru reaffirmed that just 94,000MT of rice have been imported since January.
Source: Capital Business
Image Credit: FreePik
