PREMIUM Massive crop failure leaves maize farmers staring at loan defaults Maize farmers who borrowed millions to finance farming now fear auctions. News Just now Listen

Prolonged drought, inadequate top-dressing fertiliser and renewed attacks by the fall armyworm have damaged maize fields across the North Rift, leaving farmers who secured seasonal loans from institutions such as the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Equity Bank staring at heavy losses.

Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi| Nation Media Group Farmers fear losing land In Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, farmer Mr Michael Kosgei says he may not be able to repay a Sh500,000 AFC loan after his 10-acre maize crop withered during the tasselling stage.

Maize harvest projected to fall The Ministry of Agriculture has deployed experts to assess maize production in the North Rift, Kenya’s main grain-producing region, to determine the likely harvest and guide food security interventions.