Treasury is yet to disburse cash to the Agriculture ministry as payment for 54,302 bags of 50kg maize that has so far been delivered by farmers.
Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri said on Monday the cost of the purchase as at February 7 stood at Sh75.4 million.
“To date, we are yet to receive the exchequer so that we can start payment,” Kiunjuri said.
He spoke in Parliament when briefing the Committee on Agriculture on the progress of the purchase of the 2 million bags as directed by the government.
The National Cereals and Produce Board opened its doors on January 23.
Kiunjuri said the delivered maize is from small scale farmers with less than 400 bags of maize.
“It was agreed that the NCPB buys from small scale farmers with 1-400 90kg bags first,” Kiunjuri said.
He added that vetting of farmers with more than 400 bags of maize will start on Wednesday while delivery is expected to commence on February 18.
In January, the government authorised the NCPB to buy 2 million bags of maize at a cost of Sh2,500 per 90 Kg bag.