Why Maize Farmers Must Use New Grain Stores To Ensure Profitability
Updated on: Jul 26, 2020
The ongoing construction of three grain stores in Laikipia West is expected to revolutionize food storage, returning the declining profitability in the business of maize farming.
With a possible bumper harvest this season, farmers in Laikipia West can now rest assured of efficient storage facilities that will help them avoid post-harvest losses.
The Laikipia Maize Storage Project is an initiative by the County Government of Laikipia in Partnership with The European Union EU. The project will see farmers in Kinamba, Sipili and Mutanga benefit from efficient grain stores closer home.
The three storage units will together have capacity to hold over 45,000 bags of grains.
Of the three cereal stores, Mutanga grain store is fast approaching completion, affording maize farmers in the area a storage facility with a capacity of over 15,000 bags.
The grain stores are expected to help maize farmers cut down post-harvest losses associated with poor storage, which accounts for up to 30 per cent of the losses in agriculture sub sector.
With improved storage facilities, residents can expect improved food security and profits, as many farmers resort to offloading their produce at harvest due to low prices. This trend of poor returns has discouraged many farmers from venturing into maize farming.
With improved value addition as a result of better storage the residents will benefit from the arising job opportunities.
On completion, the storage facilities will have office blocks, ablution blocks and farm input shops.
With a possible bumper harvest this season, farmers in Laikipia West can now rest assured of efficient storage facilities that will help them avoid post-harvest losses.
The Laikipia Maize Storage Project is an initiative by the County Government of Laikipia in Partnership with The European Union EU. The project will see farmers in Kinamba, Sipili and Mutanga benefit from efficient grain stores closer home.
The three storage units will together have capacity to hold over 45,000 bags of grains.
Of the three cereal stores, Mutanga grain store is fast approaching completion, affording maize farmers in the area a storage facility with a capacity of over 15,000 bags.
The grain stores are expected to help maize farmers cut down post-harvest losses associated with poor storage, which accounts for up to 30 per cent of the losses in agriculture sub sector.
With improved storage facilities, residents can expect improved food security and profits, as many farmers resort to offloading their produce at harvest due to low prices. This trend of poor returns has discouraged many farmers from venturing into maize farming.
With improved value addition as a result of better storage the residents will benefit from the arising job opportunities.
On completion, the storage facilities will have office blocks, ablution blocks and farm input shops.
