Kiunjuri races against time to provide subsidised fertiliser as farmers plant

Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri has called a crisis meeting tomorrow to discuss importation of subsidised fertiliser and how farmers will access it.

The planting season has started in most parts of the Rift Valley. The government had said it would not provide the input this year.

Some farmers opted for partnerships with private agencies to get it at the best market prices.

Kiunjuri said in Eldoret yesterday the ministry has received Sh2 billion for the fertiliser but has “a short time” to ensure farmers get it.

“We’ll meet in Nairobi to see how we can intervene and bring in the fertiliser within strict deadlines because the planting season is already here,” he said.

He blamed cartels for causing problems in the importation of subsidised fertiliser. Kiunjuri said the cartels infiltrated the supply chain, causing problems, which had compelled the government to pull out from this year’s importation.

“Now we’re streamlining the procedures and even though farmers are facing serious problems for lack of fertiliser, we’ll ensure the cartels are done away with,” the CS said.

“We know it is frustrating for farmers, but I promise we are putting in place long-lasting solutions to ensure cartels will never invade fertiliser supply in future.”

He opened the ASK National Show in Eldoret and met farmers. Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago was present.

In the long run, it will take maximum two days to get to the fertiliser from the Mombasa port to farmers, Kiunjuri said.“I want to ensure that when the fertiliser lands in Mombasa, it will take only one day to get to the hands of co-operative societies from where genuine farmers will pick their supplies,” he said.

The CS said the NCPB has no business holding fertiliser for weeks, as that would only create loopholes exploited by cartels. Mandago urged the government to relax vetting requirements for farmers at the NCPB.

He said many farmers could not produce title deeds for their farms, especially for family land.