President William Ruto’s Cabinet said the government will purchase 1 million bags of maize as part of the initiative. Maize prices The Cabinet approved the operationalisation of the framework during a meeting held at Kakamega State Lodge on Tuesday, August 29. “The government will purchase at least 1 million bags of maize to be maintained as part of our nation’s Strategic Food Reserve,” Ruto’s Cabinet said in a despatch sent to the newsroom. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is expected to announce the off-take price for the 2023 crops after consultation with key stakeholders. The initiative also aims to stabilise food prices in the country, accelerated by supply shortages. Kenya maize farmers expect high returns Ruto’s administration promised to lower the price of maize flour to below KSh 150 per 2kg packet. In July 2023, Agriculture and Livestock CS Mithika Linturi said the government expect a bumper harvest following the subsidised fertiliser issued to farmers. Linturi revealed that the government is also in talks with Zambia to import more maize and reduce a deficit of not more than five million bags. BY TUKO NEWS