Government to allow importation of wheat as NCPB open stores
Government will sanction importation of two million bags of wheat in the next one month to supplement local production, Ministry of Agriculture confirmed yesterday.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Kello Harsama (pictured) said harvesting by local farmers is ongoing in various counties and millers are purchasing at agreed prices.
“We have agreed with millers to ensure they have purchased all the wheat being harvested in growing counties. Farmers are currently selling 90 kilogramme bags of Grade I at Sh5, 200 and Grade 2 at Sh5,100,” he said. The ministry is working on logistics to ensure the current harvest is well managed before allowing importation, said Harsama.
Under the EAC Common External Tariff, wheat imports attract a duty of 35 percent.
However, Harsama said millers will be allowed to ship in the grain at a levy of 10 per cent under the Duty Remission Scheme approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. He added that production projections stand at 1.2 million bags this year and once the entire yield is fully purchased by the millers, the government will allow importation of another two million bags to ensure the country is stable.
Harsama pointed out that Ukraine’s invasion by Russia has since last year disrupted importation of wheat in the country leading to skyrocketing prices.
Early this week, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) opened stores to allow farmers to dry their produce as part of managing post-harvest losses.
Quality standards
Joseph Kimote, NCPB managing director said the agency will open up the warehouses to help wheat farmers enjoy and maintain good wheat quality standards, and enhance food safety. “Wheat farmers who are currently harvesting in Narok county and other pockets are invited to utilize NCPB facilities to access affordable and professional services in wheat drying, cleaning, grading, silos storage, and weighing,” he said.
Wheat farmers in Narok which is the major producer of wheat in the country are currently harvesting and also in a few pockets of Nakuru, Laikipia and Meru counties.
To prevent post-harvest losses, NCPB is encouraging farmers to use storage infrastructure in various counties in the county at affordable charges for the drying services.
