More than 100,000 farmers in Uasin Gishu County have so far been registered to receive the government-subsidized fertilizer.
This is part of more than 500,000 farmers who have been listed for the e-voucher programme that will see farmers buy planting fertilizer at a government-subsidized rate of Sh. 3,500 per 50 kilogramme bag.
According to Uasin Gishu Agriculture, Agri-Business, Livestock and Fisheries County Executive Committee Member, (CECM) Mr. Edward Sawe, the farmers have already collected more than 200,000 bags of the subsidized fertilizer already delivered to the county through the National Cereals and Produce Board, (NCPB).
“More farmers continue to visit NCPB depots within the county to redeem their vouchers for the fertilizer subsidy program,” said Sawe.
The CECM also assured farmers that all the NCPB stores across the county are well stocked with subsidized fertilizers and asked those that have not yet redeemed their vouchers to do so ahead of the planting season.
He noted that the county is currently working with NCPB and the Kenya National Trading Cooperation (KNTC) to finalize a plan that will allow the subsidized fertilizers to be delivered to county stores that farmers can access more conveniently.
“We’re working on ensuring the stores have sufficient security and then we will deploy NCPB officers and those from the county to oversee the distribution of the fertilizer,” he said, adding that the county has four stores, each with a capacity to hold up to 60,000 bags of fertilizer.
And with the Government providing subsidies to farmers, the county executive is optimistic farmers will this year register and increase in production. “Our Farmers have been recording an average production of 18 bags of maize per acre, but with the right quantity of fertilizer applied, it can increase to at least 25 bags of per acre,” he said.
The CECM is optimistic that at least 300,000 acres of land will be under maize this coming planting season due to the availability of the more affordable fertilizer.
NCPB North Rift Regional Manager Mr. Gilbert Rotich said farmers should not panic over supplies assuring them that they will access quantities they require adding that the government will supply sufficient fertilizer to the region before the onset of the planting season.
By Kiptanui Cherono
