Farmers seek subsidised fertiliser as season peaks

Officials inspect subsidised fertiliser at the NCPB depot in Eldoret / MATHEWS NDANYI

Long queues of farmers are being witnessed at the NCPB depots in the North Rift, where the farmers are collecting subsidised fertiliser for the ongoing planting season, which is heading to the peak.

There has been a shortage of the OCP variety of fertiliser, which most farmers preferred for maize.

Many farmers have been forced to use other varieties.

A representative of the farmers, Benson Kiplimo, said they had been promised that the OCP variety would be supplied but it was taking time to arrive.

“We had hoped to get OCP, which we used last year and got good harvests, but time for planting is now running out and we now have to use the other varieties,” he said.

The OCP variety is manufactured in Morocco and is blended to suit soil varieties in specific regions and for specific crops.

NCPB North Rift manager Gilbert Rotich said more supplies of the variety are on the way and will be distributed to the depots.

“So far, farmers have been able to get the fertiliser they need and the government is ensuring that all varieties are available despite shortages,” he said.

Farmers have so far bought more than 4.5 million bags of subsidised fertiliser for the current maize planting season, which has started in parts of the country.

Agriculture PS Kiprono Rono, who has been visiting the region, said the uptake of the fertiliser is currently high, with queues at the NCPB depots where many farmers are collecting supplies for planting.

He says the government has planned to import more than 12.5 million bags for planting across the country, and that much of it has already arrived.

With the high uptake of subsidised fertiliser, he said, there is space at the depots, allowing the government to bring in more supplies.

The PS said the current uptake of the subsidised fertiliser is the highest ever and that the governmemt is prepared to satisfy the demands of local farmers.

“We also assure the farmers that the fertiliser is certified to be of high quality, and we have sealed all loopholes for distribution of fake fertiliser,” Rono said.

He said security teams were on high alert to stop any distribution of fake fertilizer and that those who attempted to do so in Eldoret a month ago had been arrested and taken to court.

The PS also announced that sh 2 Billion had been provided to the Kenya Seed Company to help subsidize prices of seeds needed by farmers.

“We have a hitch as concerns seed prices but we are working with the company to review the prices by next week,” Rono said.

He said the government and counties will offer all the necessary support to farmers to ensure the planting season goes on smoothly.

Environment PS Festus Ngeno has said according to the meteorology department, the long rains started earlier than usual but will be sustained.

He said farmers should not be worried of the intensity of the rains or fear that it may disappear soon.

“Our weathermen have said the rains will be adequate and go on until around May,” Ngeno said.