Agriculture and Livestock Department Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has assured farmers that the government was supplying quality subsidised fertiliser.
He dismissed claims by a section of opposition leaders that the imported fertiliser for subsidy was mixed with impurities and accused them of frustrating government's development agenda.
Linturi said the subsidised fertiliser was scientifically tested and approved before importation to ensure that farmers got quality farm input for enhanced crop production.
Speaking in Elburgon area of Molo Subcounty in Nakuru, the CS told farmers to register for the subsidised fertiliser and use it without fear.
"The team from Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock joined me on a fact finding mission in all the National Cereals and Produce Board stores in Olenguruone, Sirikwa and Elburgon to check whether there was sufficient subsidised fertiliser and its quality,” he said.
Linturi was accompanied by MPs Kuria Kimani (Molo), Charity Kathambi (Njoro) and Joseph Tonui (Kuresoi South).
Linturi said the government had listed 6.4 million farmers to benefit from subsidised fertiliser which is being sold at Sh2,500 per 50kg bag instead of Sh6500 from agrovet stores.
“The farmers were listed, complete with what they grow to inform the government on what types of fertilisers to import and for what crops,” the CS said.
He said last year’s harvest of more than 60 million bags of maize in the country was proof that the subsidised fertiliser was up to the required standards.
“This is planting season, farmers should come and collect the inputs which include seeds, this will help the government in ensuring food and nutrition security,” he said.
Linturi told farmers that the government was buying maize at Sh4,000 per 90kg bag.
“Do not sell your maize through brokers, the government is buying at good prices and paying for the produce within 72 hours after delivery,” he said.
Linturi added that the government was also supporting pyrethrum, coffee, avocado, tea and macadamia value chains with the aim of increasing forex.
