Nairobi — Wheat harvesting in Molo and Rongai has been hampered by heavy rains, raising fears that farmers could lose some of the crop.

Kenya Federation of Agricultural Producers -- Nakuru Chapter chairman Samuel Gitonga on Tuesday said although there was no shortage of combine harvesters, the rain since Saturday had paralysed harvesting.

Farmers are also worried about the sprouting of the grain and the high cost of drying, he said.

Most millers accept wheat with a moisture content of 14 per cent, and a farmer with wheat moisture content of 26 per cent pays Sh300 to dry a 90-kilogramme bag.

"Firms with driers charge Sh28 to reduce moisture by one point; a farmer whose wheat has a moisture content of 26 per cent has to reduce it by 12 points at a cost of Sh336," he said.

Mr. Gitonga said wheat that sprouted before it was harvested was sold to millers at very low prices. "Such wheat can be used for blending, but no miller will tell a farmer that."

Most millers are paying farmers Sh2,500 for a 90-kg bag, but farmers who deliver to millers' depots earn Sh3,000 per bag of the same weight.

Harvesting contractors charge Sh1,700 to Sh2,000 per acre.