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{
    "id": 993164,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/993164/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 135,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ndwiga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 278,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njeru Ndwiga",
        "slug": "peter-ndwiga"
    },
    "content": "The Committee held an online meeting with the Cabinet Secretary (CS) on Monday, 4th May, 2020 where he briefed the Senators as follows - On food security in the country and maize importation, the national food and nutrition security is stable following near normal performance of the 2019 long rain season and good performance of the 2019 short rain season. While prices of maize and wheat have increased following uncertainties brought about by the Coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic, as well as the locust invasion in some counties, the prices of other food commodities have remained stable. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2019 long and short rains resulted in the production of about 43.3 million 90 kilograms bags of maize which is a slight decline compared to 44.5 million bags produced in 2018. However, production of other food stables remained normal. The maize balance sheet forecast up to June 2020 indicates that there will be a net surplus of maize of about 2,444,800 bags. At a consumption of 4.25 million bags per month, the projected balance will not be enough to cover one month up to July 2020 when early harvesting will commence. The available stocks of the other main food stables are sufficient from local production and projected imports. Mr. Speaker, Sir, via Gazette Notice No. 3234 dated 20th April, 2020, the Government has gazetted the importation of two million bags of white maize and two million bags of yellow maize by private millers to supplement local supplies and to ensure food prices remain stable. These imports are meant to fill the gap that the country is expected to experience between the months of June and July 2020. This will also cushion local producers from market flooding when local supplies from the South Rift parts of the country are available in the market in August. A concessional import duty rate of 14 per cent shall apply in respect of white maize and a rate of 10 per cent in respect of yellow maize imported to ensure that the maize sells at local prices. Importers were given a deadline of 30th May, 2020, however, this may be adjusted to a later date where there are justifiable and valid delays in shipments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Ministry will continue monitoring the field situation including collection of information of available stocks held by various value chain actors to inform further action to be taken to improve access to food and price stabilization during the emergency period between April to June 2020. Maize importation remains low compared to long term averages. This is partly due to available local supplies as well as reduced inflows across regional boarders owing to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the Strategic Food Reserve stocks, currently there is no maize stock in the Strategic Food Reserve stores as the Government left market forces to be in play. The Government had also disposed of old stocks to avoid quality deteriorations. However, the Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund has a total cash amount of about Kshs10 billion that is readily available for food purchases locally or externally if need arises. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there are a total of 124,625 50 kilogram bags of aflatoxin contaminated maize which is set to be destroyed by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}