The Kenya Farmers Association has warned of looming food crisis due to the high prices of fertiliser.
Director of the association Kipkorir Menjo said many farmers have now opted to only plant maize for consumption and not for commercial purposes.
“From our survey the situation is so worrying because the majority of farmers are in deep crisis and cannot afford to buy fertiliser in large quantities,” he said.
DAP fertiliser for planting is selling for an average of Sh6,000 per 50kg bag.
Pleas from farmers to the government to set aside money for subsidies has failed to yield positive action.
Agriculture CS Peter Munya has indicated that more than Sh32 billion is required for the subsidies to help reduce fertiliser prices.
“The time has come for the government to rethink most of its policies for the agriculture sector, failing which we are headed to a major food crisis in the near future,” Menjo said.
“The money for subsidies is not much if you compare it with the cost of importing maize if production drops.”
Agriculture officers in the region have warned of a more than 40 per cent drop in maize production because of the high prices of fertiliser.
“Many farmers have said they will plant fewer acres than in previous years and that is definitely a crisis in the making because we will produce less food,” Uasin Gishu Agriculture executive Samwel Yego said.
Two weeks ago, there was a reprieve for more than 2,000 farmers in Kesses constituency after MP Swarrup Mishra gave them free fertiliser and seeds.
“We have decided to come in and support, especially the small-scale farmers who will not be able to afford farm inputs because of the high prices," the legislator said.
Mishra urged the government to look for ways of introducing subsidies.
He has also pledged to donate 12 tractors which will plough farms for the farmers. Farmers will only be required to fuel the tractors.
Farmers who benefited from free fertiliser said it would enable them to plant food crops for their families.
The MP said he would look into ways of expanding the programme to benefit more farmers.
The long rains are expected to start this week.
Edited by A.N
