The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has clarified its maize purchasing price, stating it is buying Grade I and Grade II maize at Ksh 1,944 per 50kg bag—equivalent to Ksh 3,500 per 90kg bag—not Ksh 4,050 as previously reported.
This correction comes amid Kenya’s preparations for a record-breaking maize harvest, projected at 70 million 90kg bags for the 2025 season. The NCPB emphasised that it is not purchasing maize at Ksh 4,000 per 90kg bag, contrary to our earlier report.
“NCPB is buying grade I and grade II maize from farmers at Ksh. 1944 per 50kg which is equivalent to Ksh.3500 per 90kg bag. NCPB is NOT purchasing any maize at Ksh 4000 per 90kg bag,” the board said via its X account.
Government Targets 70 Million Bags in 2025 Harvest
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe has termed the upcoming harvest “historic,” projecting 70 million 90kg bags, a 3 million bag increase from 2024 and more than double the 2022 yield of 34.3 million bags.
“Our national food security has remained stable, with improved availability and reduced prices for staple foods,” Kagwe said during the 57th Central Kenya ASK Show in Nyeri.
“As we approach the bumper harvest season, the Government will restock the National Strategic Food Reserve. This will guarantee food security for the nation and provide farmers with a ready market for their produce.”
Kenya is set to harvest a historic 70 million bags of maize in 2025, as we also move to restock our strategic food reserves by purchasing directly from farmers.#BETAKILIMO #foodsecurity #MkulimaKwanza pic.twitter.com/MWzXxCIqio
— Cabinet Secretary Agriculture & Livestock Dev’t (@CS_MoALD) September 12, 2025
Subsidies and Inputs Drive Record Production
Kagwe attributed the surge in maize output to favourable weather and the timely provision of subsidised inputs, including:
- 21.3 million bags of fertiliser worth Ksh 53.25 billion under the Fertiliser Subsidy Programme
- 6.9 million bags distributed for the 2025 long rains
- Plans to provide 12.5 million bags across all 1,450 wards for the 2026 season
“Fertiliser prices have dropped by up to 67% per 50kg bag, boosting production of key commodities,” Kagwe noted.
Digital Access and Sector Reforms
To streamline access to inputs, the Ministry is rolling out the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information Systems, enabling farmers to redeem subsidies via e-vouchers.
Kagwe also outlined reforms across key sub-sectors:
| Sector | Key Interventions |
|---|---|
| Tea | Expanding markets in Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia |
| Coffee | Improved seedlings, renovated factories, tripled fertiliser allocation |
| Dairy | Nationwide milk cooler distribution, zero-rated feed imports |
| Horticulture | EU compliance on pest control, freight expansion, and export duty negotiations |
Impact & Outlook
The maize purchase price announcement is expected to:
- Stabilise local maize prices
- Encourage farmer participation in formal markets
- Strengthen national food reserves ahead of potential climate shocks
