Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Ronoh has today flagged off the distribution of two million bags of fertiliser under the National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme at the Port of Mombasa, bringing relief to over six million farmers after months of delays.

The consignment will be delivered to 354 National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots around the country, cooperative societies and certified Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) depots, where farmers can access it.

The timely intervention by the government comes as a major relief to thousands of farmers who had faced uncertainty due to delays in fertiliser distribution occasioned by the Middle East conflict, which forced vessels to take longer routes through South Africa to Mombasa.

Farmers in the country had raised concerns over the delay in subsidised fertiliser retailing at Ksh2,500, as the long rains are already underway and many had already planted. Some had pitched tents at NCPB depots, hoping to secure fertiliser to prevent stunted crop growth and reduced yields.

The principal secretary assured farmers that fertiliser will reach their nearest depots this week to enable them to redeem supplies and continue with food production. He noted that several depots in North Rift region had already received fertiliser and the arrival of the large consignment will further boost farming activities.

“We have no doubt as a government that our farmers will now get enough fertiliser in all the stores, and they can now move comfortably to their farms and continue farming,” the principal secretary said.

To ensure a steady supply and assist farmers who may have delayed planting, the principal secretary directed NCPB to open depots on weekends and public holidays. The department of agriculture has also engaged transporters and the Kenya Railway Corporation, through the Ministry of Roads and Transport, to ensure the consignment is delivered faster and more efficiently.

Principal Secretary Ronoh noted that the government has already put in place a robust plan for next year’s fertiliser subsidy to cushion farmers against any disruptions beyond its control.

Farmers were lauded for diversifying to other crops beyond traditional ones to boost incomes and contribute to the economy.

“Most farmers have diversified and are now planting different types of crops, especially cash crops. We have seen farmers planting coffee, avocados, macadamia and other crops apart from maize and vegetables, which will help transform the economy. If we engage farmers effectively, this economy will change,” he said.

Unscrupulous dealers and their collaborators selling government-subsidised fertiliser above the approved price of Ksh2,500 were warned that they would be arrested and charged in court.

“We are aware of such individuals. We have identified some in Meru County who are exaggerate the sizes of their land and our digital system has flagged those who have provided false information,” the principal secretary said and warned that those involved will face arrest.

National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Chairperson John Mutunga urged farmers to be cautious of brokers as distribution begins. He noted that plans are at an advanced stage to ensure farmers collect fertiliser and seeds directly from NCPB depots.

He also urged Kenyans to ignore political propaganda surrounding fertiliser distribution, noting that the government has already distributed over seven million bags this year. He challenged the Kenya Seed Company to expedite the distribution of seeds, stating that the government has released Ksh2 billion for subsidised seeds.

Soy Constituency MP David Kiplagat criticised opposition politicians for politicising fertiliser distribution, noting that the Kenya Kwanza administration reduced the price from Ksh7,000 to Ksh2,500.

“We want to ask the opposition to find other issues to address. On the fertiliser subsidy, they have crossed the redline. We have enough fertilizer in this country,” he said.

The MP accused the Kenya Seed Company of delaying the reduction of certified seed prices despite the release of subsidy funds. He issued a two-day ultimatum for prices to be lowered.

“We urge them to stop the monkey business they are engaging in; they must either shape up or ship out,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / by Sadik Hassan