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AN acute shortage of subsidised fertiliser has delayed planting for many farmers in high producing counties in North Rift.
This has sparked protests from farmers and some leaders.
The government had promised to ensure adequate supplies but many farmers have been camping at the National Cereals Produce Board depots where the fertiliser is not available.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has urged the government to immediately provide the input to avert low food production this year.
“The government knew very well that the planting a season was coming and should have supplied adequate fertiliser last month. Some farmers are now planting without fertiliser and that will obviously affect production,” he said.
A spot check at the stores shows they mostly have CAN fertiliser, which is used for top dressing and not planting.
David Kiberenge, a representative of small-scale farmers, questioned why the government ordered for top dressing fertiliser before DAP and other fertilisers required for planting.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has, however, assured farmers distribution of subsidised fertiliser will resume today.
In a statement, he said the ministry had noted instances where farmers could not access the fertiliser at the NCPB stores despite receiving the e-vouchers. Kagwe said the government has at least one million bags of fertiliser ready for issuance.
“We are aware farmers who visited NCPB depots could not redeem their e-voucher messages to access subsidised fertiliser because of the logistical challenges to avail the farm input,” the CS said.
“Despite the setback, the issuance remained stable all along. However, the government would like to assure farmers all the logistical challenges have been addressed and from March 24, we expect the issuance of more than one million bags of fertiliser to stabilise and match the high demand.”
Kagwe said at least 2.6 million bags have been distributed. He said his ministry is working hard to ensure all farmers plant within the recommended time because the supply of fertiliser is sufficient.
The CS said the government has asked contracted suppliers, through the NCPB, to increase fertiliser supply.
“To fast-track delivery, we are now using train wagons, which have already departed the Mombasa port and are set to arrive at the Naivasha inland port by Sunday morning [yesterday]. Further to boost our supplies, an additional 1,380 tonnes are en route to the Mombasa port,” he said.
