Narok Farmers Unite Against Rising Wheat Production Costs

Wheat farmers in Narok County are threatening to abandon wheat and maize cultivation due to rising production costs. The farmers, led by Stanley Konyo, are demanding an increase in the producer price of a 90kg bag from the current Sh3,100 to Sh6,000.

The cost of tilling one acre has increased from Sh1,800 to Sh2,500 after the fuel hike, while harrowing has gone up from Sh1,000 to Sh1,500. The farmers are also calling on the government to provide subsidized Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer as the retail shops are selling a 50kg bag at Sh3,200, higher than the subsidized price of Sh1,800.

The region is among the biggest producers of wheat in the country. The farmers' demands come as many have been forced to shift from wheat farming due to high production costs. Some have opted to subdivide their land and lease it to other small-scale farmers for planting alternative crops such as potatoes, cabbage, carrots, maize, and peas.