Senator Mandago Wants the Government to Reduce Fertilizer Prices

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has called on the National Government to reduce the price of fertilizer from the current 3500 to 1500.

Mandago said this will help to reduce the cost of production for farmers.

Speaking to the press Mandago said National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) should not be allowed to distribute fertilizers instead should be given to Cooperative Societies.

“We want to call upon the National government to reduce fertilizer prices to at least Sh 1500 and governors and Cooperative Societies should be allowed to distribute it to farmers. NCPB is messing with farmers and cannot be trusted
it is unreliable” said Uasin Gishu governor.

In response, Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua who was in attendance said the government will not lower the price due to the country’s economic crisis and that the government will form committees to help distribute subsidized fertilizer.

“We will form a committee, we will do what we did with the drought mitigation plan. Let me not cheat you at the moment we can only afford 3500 but we can bring it further lower to at least Sh 2500”, said Gachagua

“We are honest people, so we will tell you the truth Senator. Fertilizer cannot be sold at sh 1500 in retail stores.No need to appear impressive if they later discover us to be liars,” said Gachagua.

Gachagua further said the administration intended to have adequate fertilizer available for the heavy rains in January.

Following a decision from President William Ruto, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that 50kg fertilizer bags will now retail from 3500 instead of sh.6500 on 20th September after the government gave a subsidy worth sh.3.5billion.