Farmers in Teso have asked the Busia county government to reduce the prices of subsidised farm inputs to ease pressure on growers and boost production.
The farmers proposed a Sh500 reduction on the price of a 50kg bag of fertiliser to lower the cost to Sh2,000 down from the current Sh2,500.
Supply of subsidised fertiliser by county and national governments was meant to reduce the costs of the commodity and make them more accessible by farmers.
They also urged the devolved unit to reduce the price of a 2kg packet of seed maize seed from the current Sh600 to Sh300.
The farmers made the proposal during a public participation meeting on the Busia County Finance Bill, 2026, at the Disaster Centre in Amagoro, Teso North subcounty on Monday.
Residents also proposed reduced livestock permit fees and annual charges for boda boda operators.
The session resolved that the livestock permit fees be reduced to Sh500 for Busia county residents and Sh1,000 for applicants from outside the county.
The bill also introduces annual permit charges for barbershops and salons, with large establishments expected to pay Sh10,000, medium-sized businesses Sh7,500 and small operators Sh3,500.
It also proposed introduction of a monthly attachment fee of Sh1,000 for public and community health students undertaking practical training in the county.
The proposals form part of public submissions on the county's revenue-raising measures, including taxes, levies, fees and charges for services in the 2026 financial year.
The public participation forum provided residents an opportunity to interrogate proposed charges and recommend adjustments they consider affordable and supportive of local economic activity.
