December 20, 2004: Maize farmers are given a welcome Christmas gift by waiving of transport and drying costs for supplies delivered to State depots. The farmers will be paid Sh200 extra as a refund for every 90 kg bag of maize delivered to the depots which meet the 13.5 per cent moisture content. The Sh200 is in addition to the Sh1400 for each 90kg bag currently paid by the National Cereals and Produce Board, bringing the price to Sh1600 a bag. The Sh200-a-bag bonus is to enable the Government to reach its target of one million bags from the current harvest, explained Agriculture minister Kipruto arap Kirwa (centre). The bags are needed to shore up the Strategic Grain Reserve and provide additional stock for famine relief. The seasonal bonus is certain to bring a smile to the faces of hard-pressed farmers in the large producing areas of Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Nandi, Trans Mara, Bomet and parts of Western province.

Here, the Minister listens as Kenya Seed Company processing manager Robert Tuitoek (right) and Mr Stephen Soi, the acting manager drier, explain how maize seeds are processed when the Minister toured the company’s Endebess offices in Kitale in January 2004.

Photo|Nation Syndication