- The issue first came to light when the Kenya Bureau of Standards cautioned farmers against purchasing what it identified as substandard fertiliser in the market.
- In a notice to farmers, KEBS highlighted that the fertiliser in question did not meet the set Kenyan quality standards and was not part of the subsidised fertiliser program.
Image: HANDOUT
The debate surrounding the existence of alleged fake fertiliser in the country has continued to draw mixed reactions from various quarters in the country.
The issue first came to light when the Kenya Bureau of Standards cautioned farmers against purchasing what it identified as substandard fertiliser in the market.
In a notice to farmers, KEBS highlighted that the fertiliser in question did not meet the set Kenyan quality standards and was not part of the subsidised fertilizer program.
"The product does not meet the requirements of the Kenyan Standards for Organic Fertilizer KS 2290:2018," the notice said.
The standardization agency insisted that the approved subsidised fertiliser meets all safety and quality standards.
The alleged fake fertilizers which some farmers bought is said to be a mixture of stones and droppings of sheep and goats.
Detectives recently seized 34 bags of fertiliser in Baringo believed to be fake following a complaint from a farmer who claimed that on opening the bags ready for planting, he realized it was not real fertiliser.
Detectives in Kakamega also impounded 700 bags that farmers said were insolvable as it was mixed with stones contrary to manufacturer specifications.
The Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has now ordered a special audit on the alleged fake fertilisers.
The committee chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing wants auditors to probe systems used not only with respect to fertiliser but also for other consumable goods.
How does one tell that the fertiliser is fake?
Fertiliser Association of Kenya chair Bimal Kantaria says one cannot just say that the fertiliser is fake by just looking at it noting it has to be tested by the KEBS.
“Knowing a genuine and fake fertiliser is difficult compared to other products. Besides stones and other things that can easily be seen, you need to test the property to get the nutrient value,” he told the Star.
KEBS, he notes, conduct tests to check the nutrient value of each of the molecules from the samples-the N, P and the K.
“As for farmers, it is not all about seeing. There are other factors, if they use and the crop is not coming up then there are things like weather, climate or water,” he adds.
Kantaria also assured farmers that as an association they are satisfied the subsidised fertilizers being distributed across the country by the government meet the required standards.
“All the locally manufactured fertilisers are generally good, those imported had some issues which have been addressed, so we cannot say they all are bad,” he said.
While there are some ways to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit fertilisers, some experienced farmers say they can easily discern through visual inspection and even by smell.
Most farmers say when setting out to buy ideal fertilisers for planting, one should first ensure that the packaging, seals, contents, and distributor information are all clearly labelled and legitimate.
They also say one should remember to check the chemical composition for example, NPK 9:16:6, or 17:17:17.
According to research, during planting, the right fertilizers are those rich in phosphorus sources like diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP) or Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK).
Phosphorus is crucial for root establishment to take up nutrients and water.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are the most important nutrients for maize production.
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) and Urea is used for top dressing.
DAP is hard, granular, brown or black and cannot be broken easily by the use of nails.
When left on a plate to heat, the granules will slowly swell.
It is highly soluble (588 g/L at 20°C) and thus dissolves quickly in soil to release plant-available phosphate and ammonium.
A notable property of DAP is the alkaline pH (7.5–8) that develops around the dissolving granule.
Urea is white, shiny and round in shape.
Additionally, specific characteristics such as the texture and colour of the fertilizer can provide clues to its authenticity.
NPK fertilizer has a blue color, calcium fertilizer has a yellow color and potassium fertilizer has a red color.
NPK is also readily soluble in water.
Genuine fertilizer when applied to your farm will lead to improvement of the soil health, your crops will grow vigorously and you will get the best harvest for higher profits.
Similarly, the fertilizer can be taken to a laboratory for testing to confirm whether it is genuine or fake.