Maize farmers in Mochongoi division, Marigat district, Baringo County are complaining over exploitation by middle-men who buy the produce at a low price.

They claimed that they had a bumper harvest last year but due to lack of market for the commodity many farmers have been left with no choice but to sell their produce at throw-away prices.

“These people take advantage of our lack of knowledge and buy our maize for as low as Sh1,800 per 90 kg sack compared to the expected Sh3,000 per 90kg sack due to the high cost of production aggravated by the high cost of fuel and farm input," said Samson Koech,a farmer.

He said that the cost of land preparation and input such as fertilizers proved too high for many maize farmers to sell their hard-toiled produce at low prices. Local leaders led by area councilor Mr. Jackson Tarus have however called on the government to take prompt action to revive the now stalled Mochongoi National Cereals and Produce Board(NCPB) to provide ready market for their produce.

He said the NCPB ceased operation since 1992 and the government has turned a blind eye on the project despite spirited efforts by the locals to have it revived. The leader asserted that apart from the NCPB serving as market to the farmers, it could also serve as a food reserve for the hunger-prone County. Lack of an operational NCPB in this area had adversely affected farmers and residents especially during a dry spell.

The civic leader however urged farmers to desist from selling their maize this early but to first diversify their farming to planting three-month crops such as potatoes, beans and tomatoes. The area which is the most productive and the sole bread basket of Baringo County residents, is well endowed with fertile soils and many farmers have already planted expecting a bumper harvest this year.

According to Marigat District Agricultural Officer Mr Ezekiel Chepkwony, the district has a massive agricultural potential with over 20,000 acres of irrigable land but only 6,000 is currently under irrigation. .