The Ministry of Agriculture is projecting a 44 per cent increase
in maize production this year resulting from good weather and reduced
impact of the fall armyworm.
The State says farmers
will harvest 46 million bags of 90 kilogrammes from the current crop, an
increase from last season where the country registered 32 million bags.
Cabinet
Administrative Secretary Andrew Tuimur says the rise in production
results from government initiative to ensure food security in the
country.
“The increase in 2018 production is attributed
to prevailing conducive weather conditions in high and medium rainfall
areas in the country. This is also because of Big 4 agenda efforts
towards attainment of 100 per cent food and nutrition security,” he
claimed.
The ministry says the increased supply of subsidised fertiliser
and use of certified seed will play a big role in boosting production.
Dr
Tuimur, however, says areas receiving heavy rains are likely to see
suppressed harvest and crop damage by the fall army worms.
Last
year’s crop was affected by fall armyworm and erratic weather pattern,
which significantly cut production from 37 million bags realised in 2017
to 32 million bags. About 80 per cent of farmers in the country’s grain
basket had planted by the time this year’s season came to a close end
of last month despite disruptions by heavy rains.
Director
of Crops in the Ministry of Agriculture Johnson Irungu says the crop
has so far attained the knee height and farmers are about to start top
dressing.
The main effect of lower production was a
sharp rise in price of flour, which jumped to Sh153 per two kilo packet,
forcing the government to intervene through a subsidy programme that
reversed the cost to Sh90 last year.
ALSO READ: State rules out buying more maize as farmers fight glut
ALSO READ: State rules out buying more maize as farmers fight glut
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