Kenyan Government Commissions 100 Grain Dryers to Curb Post-Harvest Losses in Maize-Growing Counties

ELDORET — The Kenyan government has initiated a significant step in supporting local agriculture by commissioning the first batch of 100 grain dryers, intended to reduce post-harvest losses in 15 maize-growing counties. This move is part of the government’s broader plan to equip the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Farmers Cooperatives, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) with 200 grain dryers.

According to Kenya News Agency, who officiated the launch at the NCPB Eldoret depot, this first phase targets counties prone to post-harvest losses due to poor storage, inadequate drying facilities, and adverse weather conditions. The counties set to benefit from the initial distribution include Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Bungoma, Kakamega, West Pokot, Narok, Kericho, Migori, Bomet, Baringo, Nyandarua, and Laikipia.

Linturi, who also observed the dryers’ operation in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, noted that these counties were selected as they are major maize producers and their harvest season coincides with the October-December short rains. He added that the rains this year are expected to be heavier than usual due to the El Nino effect.

Accompanied by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Soy MP David Kiplagat, Senator Jackson Mandago, and Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Edyson Nyale, Linturi emphasized that food and nutrition security is a critical pillar of the government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda. However, he highlighted that post-harvest losses have been a significant challenge in achieving 100 percent food and nutrition security.

The cabinet secretary also pointed out that each dryer has the capacity to dry 14 tons of maize in two hours, substantially reducing the risk of post-harvest losses. With favourable weather conditions and farmers’ access to low-cost fertilizer under the government subsidy initiative, maize production in Kenya is expected to rise this year. Linturi projected a harvest of over 60 million bags of maize and praised farmers for heeding the government’s call to increase production for national self-sufficiency.

Linturi further urged the Kenyan populace to engage in farming, citing the reduced cost of fertilizer, to boost production and eliminate the country’s dependence on food relief 60 years post-independence.