Farmers in Rift Valley have protested against the proposal to reduce the allocation for the agriculture sector by Sh20 billion in the 2024/2025 budget.
The farmers accused the government of scheming to undermine the sector while at the same time claiming to be investing heavily in agricultural production.
According to the Finance Bill, the sector will receive Sh69 billion which is a reduction from last year's Sh87 billion.
Farmers' representatives met in Eldoret and termed the reduction as tragic.
The representatives included Kipkorir Menjo, Kim Kolum and Thomas Bowen among others.
"We as farmers have already suffered because of the distribution of fake fertiliser, heavy taxes and now they are cutting the budget," said Bowen.
He said even subsidies on fertiliser were of no benefit because farmers expect reduced productivity due to the use of substandard fertiliser.
"On the farms, it's evident that most of the maize have turned yellow and are too weak because of the fertiliser used," said Bowen.
Menjo said they had expected the budget for agriculture to be increased BY 10 per cent as per the Maputo Declaration.
"Reducing the budget means even the agencies in the sector like the NCPB and AFC will be underfunded and forced to cut down on support to farmers," said Menjo.
The farmers want parliament to revise the budget and ensure the sector gets adequate funding.