Farmers shun new listing drive over defaulted loans

Small-scale farmers are shying away from the registration process that is ongoing in the country for fear that they could be prosecuted for defaulting loans.

Some of the farmers that did not want their names mentioned said they are afraid that those that have at one time defaulted loans, especially from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) could be apprehended since the government will have all their details.

“This is a good idea because it will ensure that farmers get to benefit from buying fertiliser, seeds and other agriculture inputs at affordable costs," a farmer from Trans Nzoia said.

"But, there is also some reservation from some farmers especially those that have at one time defaulted loans. They say once they register and give out their details, it will be easy to identify the defaulters."

Others fear that once they register, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will have an easy way to go after their farming ventures.

In order to generate the digitised national farmer register, various national government ministries, county governments and agencies under the coordination of the Office of the Deputy President, are undertaking the process of farmer registration through chiefs and assistant chiefs throughout the country.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua confirmed that a national farmer registration exercise is ongoing under the coordination of chiefs and assistant chiefs.

The DP spoke on Friday during the official opening of the sensitisation meeting of phase one counties that will participate in the national fertiliser subsidy programme.

He said the new fertiliser subsidy programme is being fast-tracked so that farmers can utilise it in the coming long rains of March-April-May.

This, Gachagua said, will require strong collaboration and support from the national and county governments together with other partners.

“My office has therefore put in place a multi-sectoral framework which includes Ministries of Interior and National Administration; Agriculture and Livestock Development, The National Treasury and Economic Planning; Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Investments, Trade and Industry," the DP said.

"These ministries are expected to work closely with the county governments and other stakeholders for a rapid implementation of the subsidy programme."

He said 12 breadbasket counties have been selected to pilot the first phase of the subsidy programme and upon successful implementation, the programme will be immediately rolled out in all the counties.

“This programme has tight timelines and high public expectations. Furthermore, KNTC is in the process of distributing the fertiliser in your counties in readiness for the long rains. You are therefore expected to clearly understand your roles and give this exercise the seriousness it deserves,” Gachagua said.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi on Thursday assured farmers that the registration is aimed at ensuring traceability, accountability and transparency in the implementation of the fertiliser subsidy programmes.

“His Excellency the President has directed that subsidised fertiliser be given only to registered farmers and that the farmers within the digitised farmer register shall access the subsidised fertilisers through e-wallet arrangements,” he said in a statement.

Linturi confirmed that so far more than 3.4 million farmers have been registered and are set to benefit through fertiliser among other government programmes.

He noted that last year, Kenyan farmers faced challenges of accessing fertilisers as the market prices increased significantly to Sh6,500 per 50 Kg bag.

“Fertilisers have been identified as a key input to be subsidised by the government in line with the new Kenya Kwanza government manifesto. The government has therefore committed to subsidising a total of 388,000 of various types of fertiliser for the 2023 long rains. This will ensure that the targeted farmer beneficiaries access cheaper fertilisers at subsidised prices,” the CS said.

“Previously, the government fertiliser subsidy programmes have witnessed malpractices that included infiltration by non-beneficiaries and unscrupulous traders who accessed and resold the subsidised fertilisers at higher prices."