- Linturi said the government exempted DAP from the subsidy programme “to heal our sick soils” that have been acidified over time owing to prolonged use of DAP.
- “So that is how we are trying to deal with the effects of our sic soil,” he said.
The government has revealed reasons behind the exemption of DAP from its subsidy programme as it sought to clear the air on alleged fake fertiliser at NCPB depots.
While appearing before the National Assembly's Agriculture Committee on Monday, Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said the government exempted DAP from the subsidy programme “to heal our sick soils” that have been acidified over time owing to prolonged use of DAP.
“This country has depended on or has used DAP and DAP fertiliser has the ability and effects of acidifying the soil,” Linturi said.
DAP fertiliser is an excellent source of highly soluble phosphate and ammonium whose notable property is the alkaline pH (7.5–8) that develops around the dissolving granule.
Linturi said the government established the National Agricultural Soil Management Policy (NASMP) to facilitate the restoration and maintenance of agricultural soils to increase productivity.
“The programme of fertiliser that we are running does not have DAP as part of the fertiliser we are distributing to the farmers. This is all geared to ensuring that we give fertiliser that have ability to heal our soils that have for a long time been acidified by DAP,” the CS explained.
“That’s why you will find that in the market, we have fertilisers like Kuza, Fomi Otesha, and Fomi Nenepesha. This is 50 per cent chemical, 50 per cent organic matter and the whole idea is to ensure we fertiliser our soils and reduce the acid in our soils,” Linturi said.
“So that is how we are trying to deal with the effects of our sick soil.”
The CS, however, clarified that this does not explain the presence of the alleged fake fertiliser in the market.
“This problem (acidity) has not arisen because of the story of alleged fake fertiliser for now because whatever people imagine is not something that has been used,” he said.
Linturi was summoned by MPs following the hue and cry from farmers across the country that some brands of fertilisers being distributed at National Cereals and Produce Board depots are fake as they contain stones and manure.
Investigations by the government revealed that the allegations were true and the government henceforth banned three brands of fertiliser distributed by a local company.
In a statement on Friday, Linturi said the government had seized and impounded all fertiliser stocks distributed by the company across all NCPB facilities and initiated legal action against the entity.
“This step is essential to control and mitigate any adverse effects on agricultural practices,” he said.
The government has since said farmers who had already purchased the fake fertiliser will be compensated.
Speaking on Monday in West Pokot during the commissioning of a clinker plant, President William Ruto said the company in question must reimburse the farmers affected by the fake fertiliser.
"Every farmer will get the correct fertiliser. Those few people who want to take advantage of food production, the company that was involved, should compensate farmers who bought fake fertiliser and they should be given new fertilisers free of charge," he said.
In his statement on Friday, Linturi assured farmers of the government’s commitment to enforcing strict compliance with safety and quality standards for all fertilisers being availed to them.
“This is to ensure that the farmers are protected against unscrupulous industry players and to preserve the safety and quality of the food supply chain,” he said.