000 01736nam a22001697a 4500
003 KE-MeUCS
005 20240807122425.0
008 231122b xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
020 _a9789914738216
040 _cKE-MeUCS
_dKE-MeUCS
050 _aHD9049.D4 2022
245 _aDeterminants of maize prices in kenya /
_c Grace Waweru and Matilda Owino
260 _aNairobi:
_bKIPPRA;
_c2022.
300 _aVI, 22p .:
520 _aWhite maize is the main staple food in the diet of over 85 per cent of the population in Kenya. It is the cheapest source of calories among the cereal grains, making up about 65 per cent of the total food calories consumed by households in Kenya. Therefore, maize availability and affordability are very important for food security. Using annual data from 1990 to 2020, this paper undertakes an analysis of the key determinants of maize prices to inform policy actions in improving the maize market. The key findings show that the average retail maize prices increase even as the quantities produced increase, implying that the produce is not adequate to meet demand. The value of fertilizer and seeds is positive, implying that the cost of production has an effect on maize prices. Further, even when there are imports, this does not ease pressure on maize prices. As such, it is recommended that the government supports farmers to increase their yield by adopting appropriate technology and utilize the unused arable land by increasing farming areas; subsidizing farm inputs to reduce the cost of production; provide support on effective use of fertilizers in crop production; and encourage and promote modernization of maize production through public private partnerships.
942 _2lcc
_cSC
_tMMS
999 _c88473
_d88472