Northrift Farmers Urge CS Linturi to Look into Fertilizer Distribution Exercise
Farmers from the north Rift region have called upon the cabinet secretary for agriculture Mithika Linturi to look into the fertilizer distribution program that was brought in place by the Kenya Kwanza government.
Speaking in Eldoret where the CS flagged off fertilizers to be distributed in the region, the farmers blamed the low supply and logistical issues for late planting.
“I am a farmer here, I have not received any text messages and it’s getting late because I normally plant my maize on 5th March, dry planting. This leaves me with no option because I have gone up to the county commissioner’s office who told me only 40% of farmers have received the fertilizers while 60% have not yet received and I believe him.” Said a farmer.
Complaining about the extra charges imposed on the 50 kg fertilizer bags unlike the advertised prices declared by the government, the farmers called on the CS to review the matter.
“We as farmers from these areas are requesting for this processing fee to be removed at which they charge us 70 Kenyan shillings extra for every 50kg bag that costs 3500 Kenya shillings adding the Yara fertilizers retail at more than 4000 Kenya shillings more than the government set price of 3500 shillings.” He added.
The farmers urged the agriculture CS to find time and spend with farmers who want to raise the challenges they face in the agricultural sector which they note if corrected can result in bumper harvests enough to feed the nation and the region at large.
“If you find time, come sit down with the farmers because we have been mistaken. We want Agricultural Development Corporation to be producing seeds for Kenya Seed which remain as the seller and Agricultural Finance Corporation to be the farmers’ bank where we can borrow funds which we’ll repay upon harvesting. We are also requesting for machinery and chemicals to be zero-rated. If you do this for us, we’ll feed this nation and the neighboring countries.” another farmer decried.
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