Narok Wheat Farmers Secure High Market Prices in Government Deal
Narok wheat farmers have received a major reprieve after the County Government, in collaboration with the State Department of Agriculture, brokered a deal to sell approximately 200,000 bags of wheat stored in silos at a competitive price.
Speaking in Olokurto, Narok North Sub-County, during the launch of multiple development projects, Governor Patrick Ntutu announced that extensive consultations with top officials at the Department of Agriculture had secured a selling price of Sh5,200 per 90-kilogram bag, aligning with farmers’ expectations.
“The millers were intentionally delaying purchases to force farmers to lower their selling prices, but we have reached an agreement to ensure all wheat will be sold at Sh5,200 as previously agreed,” said Ntutu.
He acknowledged the high cost of wheat production due to expensive farm inputs and assured farmers of timely sales moving forward.
The governor encouraged wheat cultivation, promising a stable market and improved farming conditions.
To further support the agricultural sector, the County Government, in collaboration with the National Government, is set to establish wheat and potato processing plants to enhance value addition and increase farmers’ profits.
“Our county is among the top producers of wheat and potatoes in the country. Establishing processing plants will enable farmers to sell their produce at better prices,” Ntutu emphasized.
East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament David Sankok, who accompanied the governor, urged residents to support the current administration’s development agenda and cautioned against premature political campaigns.
He also lauded Narok County’s strong revenue collection and efficient service delivery, as highlighted by the Controller of Budget.The intervention comes as a huge relief to farmers who had been struggling to find buyers since the harvesting season began in September last year.
Stanley Koonyo, the farmers’ chairman, expressed their frustration over millers’ reluctance to purchase their produce and urged the government to ensure a steady market as the next planting season approaches.
