Busia deputy governor denies claims subsidised fertiliser sold in Uganda

The Busia County government has denied claims that subsidised fertiliser meant for farmers in the county is being sold in Uganda.

Deputy governor Arthur Odera said on Saturday the claims are untrue and urged farmers to register at the Malaba NCPB depot to receive the product.

“650 bags of fertiliser were delivered the other day to the Malaba NCPB depot. If we had had complaints that there are farmers who went to the depot and did not receive any fertiliser, that would be a genuine concern which I as the deputy governor would have picked up and made a follow up to know where the problem is,” Odera said.

“If anything happens let me know because we want to support our farmers. The national government introduced a subsidy which made fertiliser affordable and we want all our farmers who are in need of fertiliser to have access to it. It is important to say the truth so that everyone understands. No subsidised fertiliser is being sold in Uganda.”

Odera made the remarks in reaction to allegations by Bukhayo North/Walatsi MCA Gaddy Jakaa who accused the county government of failing to protect farmers as unscrupulous dealers cheaply bought and sold the subsidised fertiliser at higher prices in Uganda.

Jakaa who is serving a third term as MCA said it was unfair for the county government to remain mum when farmers are struggling to acquire high-cost fertiliser sold in agrovets even as the government floated a subsidy that scaled down fertiliser prices to Sh3,500 for a 50kg bag.

“Fertiliser was delivered at the Malaba NCPB depot. However, we have information that the same fertiliser which is supposed to benefit our farmers is being sold in Uganda. We also have information that some of it is being sold in Bungoma yet farmers in Busia are suffering. Our farmers have no access to subsidised fertiliser,” Jakaa said.

“I want the government to intervene and ensure the fertiliser that is delivered in Malaba benefits local farmers even if it means giving out one sack to every farmer.”

Odera, however, objected the MCA’s allegations telling Jakaa to provide evidence of the product being sold in the East African country.

The leaders were speaking at Korisai village in Teso North subcounty during the burial of Sarah Njuguna, wife to Malaba North MCA Patrick Omanyala.

Among those present were County Assembly Speaker Fredrick Odilo, Iteso Cultural Union deputy prime minister in charge of Kenya region Fredrick Adungo, former deputy governor Moses Mulomi and over 20 elected and nominated MCAs.

Odera said it was unfair for Jakaa to blame the county government for the sale of subsidised fertiliser meant for farmers to Uganda  even if the claims were true.

He said agriculture is a devolved function but the duty of acquiring and distributing fertiliser remains the duty of the national government.

Odera and Jakaa spoke after the government assured farmers that they can now buy fertiliser at the nearest cereals board depots cheaply.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Francis Owino on September 20 said a 50kg bag of DAP fertiliser, moving forward, would sell at Sh3,500, CAN at Sh2,875, Urea at Sh3,500, NPK at Sh3,275, MOP at Sh1,775 and Sulphate of Ammonia at Sh2,220.

“To ensure efficient delivery and effective control mechanisms are in place, the fertilisers will be availed through the National Cereals and Produce Board depots and sub-depots country wide, effective September 19, 2022,” the PS said.

The PS said individual farmers will be entitled to a maximum of 100 bags of 50kg.

He said the price only favours those farmers who will buy from NCPB, but added that fertiliser prices should start stabilising in the market.

In his inauguration speech on September 13, President William Ruto said as part of the government’s intervention to address the high cost of living, he would facilitate availability and affordability of fertiliser and good quality seeds.

The President directed that 1.4 million bags of fertiliser be availed to farmers at a subsidised price of Sh3,500 per 50kg bag down from Sh6,500 per 50kg bag then.