MPs have launched a probe into the distribution of subsidised fertiliser following claims of unavailability in this planting season.
Soy MP David Kiplagat, while seeking a statement from the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, said the distribution of subsidised fertiliser has been rocked with various challenges.
“The Government must move with speed to streamline the distribution of subsided fertilisers to farmers to forestall crops failure that will result from late planting,” Kiplagat said.
He said farmers have been queuing for a long time at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots for the subsidised fertiliser because of a lag between the date of receipt of the notification and redemption of the commodity.
He added that farmers have also lamented about the lack of finances to redeem vouchers and corruption in the fertiliser subsidy programme.
The Government initiated a subsidised fertiliser programme to bolster Kenya’s agricultural sector productivity to stabilise food prices.
Consequently, the Government undertook nationwide registration of farmers to deliver subsidised fertilisers by use of an e-voucher system to ensure traceability and full accountability of the farm input.
Kiplagat said the government must come out clean on the quantity of subsided fertilisers stocked in NCPB depots across the country vis-à-vis the targeted number of farmers and acreage of land.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture should consider giving farmers vouchers to purchase fertilisers from retailers at a subsidised price of Sh2500 per bag, in the event of shortage at NCPB depots.
“What mechanism has the ministry put in place to ensure that farmers in the North Rift have received subsidised fertilisers in the next one week before the planting season begins,” he posed.
He also wants the ministry to explain modalities put in place to enhance the effectiveness of the e-voucher system to minimise the long queues at the depots.
On March 9, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said more than 100 trucks carrying fertilizers, have successfully reached the Eldoret and Kitale NCPB depots.
He apologised for the delayed distribution of subsidised fertiliser to farmers in the country.
He said the government is committed to supporting farmers to increase their yields.
![Jillo Gababi,a Director ADC flags off fertilizer subsidy programe at the Garissa National Cereals and produce board[NCPD]deport in Garissa.](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dE5b9Fg9GQK8rqAbc985fKpTaNE1U199bA8D8jwDmqHohTnLKCfKw2WGnxFpnGAGc57pW9CIo-tUCPSOS7ShCLWJ4hnLtGwbjpQSDOcFDg=s750)