Wheat farmers in Narok are demanding an increase in the producer price of a 90kg bag to Sh6,000.
Currently, millers offer between Sh3,100 and Sh3,200 for a bag.
And at the same time they also want the government to intervene and have them get better prices for their maize produce.
Framers have threatened to stop cultivating the two staple crops in favour of others in what they termed increased cost of production occasioned by high fuel prices.
Led by Stanley Konyo, the farmers said many of them could be forced to venture into other businesses that would bring them more profit if the situation will not be reversed.
Speaking in Narok Town, Mr. Konyo said a large portion of land in the area has remained unused because of high production cost despite the onset of long rains.
“Most large-scale farmers depend on tractors for tilling, harrowing, planting, spraying and harvesting. But because of the increased fuel prices, the cost of production has shot up too high, forcing many to withdraw from farming,” he stated.
He added that the cost of tilling one acre has increased from Sh1,800 to Sh2,500 after the fuel hike while harrowing has gone up from Sh1,000 to Sh1,500.
“Currently, a 90kg bag of wheat sells between Sh3,000 and Sh3,500 depending on the season. However, we request the government to regulate this price by fixing a Sh6,000 minimum price that will remain constant throughout the year,” he said.
He called on the government to provide the subsidized Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer as the retail shops are currently selling a 50kg bag of the fertilizer at Sh3,200 higher than the subsidized fertilizer that sells at Sh1,800.
Another farmer, David Kilesi said despite the good weather conditions experienced in the area since last year, many farmers have been forced to shift from wheat farming owing to high production costs.
“Some farmers have opted to subdivide their land and lease it to other small-scale farmers for planting potatoes, cabbage, carrots, maize and peas that do well in the region,” Mr. Kilesi said.
He urged the government to intervene saying their hopes of a bumper harvest are dwindling every time owing to the high cost of production.
While conceding the high costs of farm inputs incurred by the farmers has forced them to reduce the number of acreage resulted in poor harvests, Mr. Kilesi appealed to the government to subsidize the costs of farm input to maximize yields.
He also appealed to the government to lower the import duty on fertilizers and pesticides for the country to stop relying on imports.
“Also, the government should consider introducing guaranteed minimum returns so that those affected by poor harvests can plant again and service their loans,” Mr. Kilesi said.
Narok region is the among the biggest producers of wheat in the country.
Further, Mr. Joseph Ole Nchoe urged farmers to sell their wheat at the set prices of Sh 6,000 per bag for Grade 1 wheat and Sh5,500 per bag for Grade 2, and not to accept lower prices.
By Emily Kadzo
