The Government increased the purchasing price of maize to KES 3 000 (USD 29) for a 90 kg bag from the previous level of KES 2 300 (USD 22) set in 2015 and established a number of requirements for the sale of the crop. The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), the body responsible for maize procurement, will purchase maize from farmers only if the crop meets defined quality requirements which include the amount of moisture content, pest damage, discoloured grains and insect infestation, among others. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries also announced that it will buy maize only from registered farmers, a farmers’ registry has been implemented in all Counties. The increase in the purchasing price aims to provide price incentive to farmers and to boost state reserves, also in view of the unfavourable production prospects for 2016/17 main maize crop.