Farmers in Kangundo and Matungulu Sub-Counties were on Friday disappointed by lack of inorganic fertiliser at the National Cereal Board, located near Tala town centre.
Speaking to journalists outside the cereals board offices, the farmers, led by an area chief named David Muasya, pointed at the lack of fertiliser as detrimental to their crops which are almost past the top-dressing stage.
"The government has been providing fertiliser to farmers at a cheaper rate and on time unlike what is happening currently," explained chief Muasya.
The Cereal Board Director Rose Andaje however allayed the fears saying there is a process in place to ensure equal distribution of fertiliser to farmers.
“We have established a computerised system with a programme called e-subsidies where each farmer should register in their wards with details of their land and crops planted in order to get fertiliser," said Andaje.
She added, “This system of reassigning the distribution responsibility from the cereals board is aimed at eliminating corruption and irregular allocation of fertiliser.”
The farmers however complained that most of them are illiterate and not familiar with digital processes while others pointed out that they had tried to use the system to no success.
"This online registration system started early October and it has not bore any fruit. This is troubling considering that the rainy season began a long time ago,” said Peter Kioko, a farmer.
They stated that the digital system is inefficient and inapplicable in their case and therefore urged the relevant authority to resume the traditional means of supplying fertiliser.