Kenya sets sights on special maize imports deal with Zambia farmers

Nairobi will next month sign contracts with farmers in Zambia to grow maize exclusively for export to the Kenyan market as the government seeks to lower the cost of the staple, with the first consignment under the agreements expected in August. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said they have finalised the deal that has seen Kenya allocated at least 50,000 acres of land for growing maize in the current planting season. The CS said the deal with the South African State has been informed by lower cost of production in Zambia and favourable weather. Read: Kenya's maize imports hit five-year high “Kenya will be signing a contract with local farmers in Zambia in the next one month that will see them grow maize for export to the Kenyan market,” said Mr Linturi. The cost of maize flour has gone up in the last one week with a two-kilo packet now retailing at more than Sh200 from Sh186 for the same quantity last month, in line with the rising cost of the cereal that has seen a ...