Agriculture CS Willy Bett has defended the government’s electronic-based fertiliser distribution system, driven by giant telecommunication company Safaricom.
Bett on Monday said the e-voucher system is still a pilot project and is not definitive.
The e-Fertiliser Subsidy Management System was launched in June last year.
Mt Elgon MP John Serut questioned the viability of the e-voucher system of distributing fertiliser, saying it is unrealistic and only serves to deepen the turf wars between Safaricom and Equity Bank.
Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi said the e-system should be reviewed.
They spoke on Monday during a two-day retreat by the National Assembly Agriculture Committee that met the CS in Mombasa.
Bett, however, called for patience from the MPs, saying the government is only looking out for the interests of Kenyan farmers.
“After the end of the pilot period, we will analyse the merits and demerits of the system and we will be in a position to understand whether we should go forward with it or we should come up with another strategy,” he said.
“But by and large, we need technology to distribute this commodity.”
Bett said the technology should ensure the commodity reaches the intended target.
“Our intention is to give the vulnerable farmers fertiliser, but it ends up with the wrong people,” he said.
The e-mechanism will enable the government to monitor the distribution of fertiliser.
Farmers have long complained that subsidised fertiliser does not reach them due to corruption.
The system was designed to take over distribution responsibility from the National Cereals and Produce Board.