NCPB hands over three distribution stores to Bungoma

National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has handed over its stores in Chwele, Kimilili, and Matisi in Bungoma to the devolved unit.

The move is aimed at improving access to subsidised fertiliser for farmers and alleviating congestion at the county NCPB depot.

The county government will now manage these storage facilities, which will be used to store and distribute subsidised fertiliser to farmers.

"The national government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing 12.5 million bags of subsidised fertiliser this year, a decision reached in consultation with county authorities," NCPB manager Samwel Waithara said.

The county government has also acquired maize driers to further improve storage infrastructure and minimise post-harvest losses.

In addition to subsidised fertiliser, the county has partnered with Kenya Seed and Western Seed to offer quality seeds to farmers this planting season.

To ensure widespread participation, farmers have been encouraged to register promptly at their respective subcounty offices.

The collaboration between the national and county governments is expected to boost agricultural productivity in Bungoma County.

This is even as Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku moved a Motion in the House to have the State adopt Government-to-Government (G-to-G) model in the acquisition of fertiliser.

Ruku said G-to-G has been proven to be effective in the provision of services that have a direct impact on citizens’ livelihood, such as the supply of fertilisers.

“The Government-to-Government model has been noted to lower the cost of products,” Ruku stated.

He said the House should therefore resolve that the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and its agencies, adopts G-to-G in the acquisition of the farm input.

He said the government should identify potential partner countries that have surplus and quality fertiliser to enter into a G-to-G agreement with.

Ruku added that the government should develop a comprehensive programme for G-to-G acquisition and distribution of fertilisers through the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA), Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Coffee Board of Kenya, Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (KPCU), the Kenya Grain Growers Co-operative Union and Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, among others.

The lawmaker said the quality and quantity of crop yields in Kenya has been hampered to a large extent by a lack of adequate and quality fertilisers leading to decreased agricultural productivity and economic losses.