According to the National Bureau of statistics of Kenya (KNBS), the country is a net importer of wheat. Kenya grows at least 500 thousand tons of wheat, which is two times less than the annual consumption.

According to farmers, high cost of cultivation of wheat and the low prices forced them to reduce the area under wheat or even abandon it.

Corn prices on the domestic market increased significantly, in contrast to wheat. Last year the government of Kenya has increased the price of corn, 2300 shillings to 3,000 shillings a bag (90 kg).

Cost of cultivation of wheat, in particular plant protection products, is quite high. The cost of plant protection chemicals used to fight weeds is 25,000 shillings for 5 litres, sufficient to protect 5 acres. Farmers also need every two weeks to use fungicides to control the disease wheat rust.

Photo: olx.ua