How love for roasted and boiled maize is hurting Kenya dry stock
The increasing appetite for roasted and boiled maize in the country is now being considered part of the reason why Kenya’s maize harvest is on the decline.
According to the East African Grain Council (EAGC) Executive director Gerald Masila, the 2021/2022 crop year posted poor harvests since most of it is now consumed while green, meaning it was either served roasted or boiled and eaten as a snack.
The delicacy which is now consumed in bulk in most urban settlement schemes is now causing experts sleepless nights, as they mull ways of increasing the harvest of dry maize.
Further, Masila says that even ongoing harvesting in parts of North and Central Rift regions will not yield because farmers reduced farming acreage due to a lack of fertiliser and the effects of climate change. “Even with the expected harvest our estimation is that we might be at 60 per cent of a good normal harvest but still face a deficit in the coming year which could go as high as 35 per cent”, he said during a stakeholder validation forum at a Nairobi hotel.
Business Hub also learnt that petty thieves and gangs of youths out to make a quick buck have also been harvesting green maize from farms at night for sale.
Land sizes
Farmers in Kisii County have raised an alarm over the increase in the theft of maize from farms and households, saying it is impoverishing them, contributing to famine and fuelling conflicts.
Moogi Onchaga, a farmer said the thieves invade farms and steal the green maize at night, adding farmers who plant early are most affected.
He said once the maize has also been harvested, the thieves break into homes when family members are away and steal the dried maize.
“ The thieves break into the homes when owners are away and steal the maize. Onchaga said.
The farmer said the increasing population, shrinking land sizes due to sub-divisions and poor farming methods have led to low maize production.
He said the price of dried maize has skyrocketed amid poverty, adding some residents have resorted to buying sifted maize flour to avoid the extra costs of milling.
