Maize farmers in the North Rift have boycotted the National Cereals and Produce Board after it suspended the purchase of the crop.

The farmers have opted to store their produce on their own saying they cannot afford to pay for storage when it is not clear when the board will resume buying the maize.

"We better keep our maize at home till the board gets money to pay us," said Christopher Ng'etich, a farner in Kitale. Ng'etich said the NCPB depot in Kitale only offers storage services to farmers.

NCPB's managing director Gideon Misoi has been encouraging farmers to store their produce at the board's depots. The NCPB paid farmers Sh800 million for the last batch of maize delivered before December, 20, 2012.

Farmers are now worried that they may not be able to pay school fees for their children if the government does not avail money to buy their maize.