Farmers across the country will not be able to get subsidized fertilizers from the government this year.
According to the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) chairman Noah Wekesa, the government did not import the fertilizers.
"For this year, it looks like it is not possible, but for a number of years the government has been importing the fertilizers," Wekesa told the press on Thursday at the Eldoret National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot after inspecting the vetting process for farmers delivering their product.
"This year perhaps farmers should be prepared to buy fertilizers from the market," he added.
Farmers from the North Rift region were expecting the Ministry of Agriculture to deliver the subsidized fertilizers ahead planting season as it has been in the past.
The fertilizers have been a relief to farmers since they were being sold at a cheaper price compared to what other traders sell.
Wekesa further noted that SFR will only be buying 2 million bags of maize from farmers as its only meant for strategic reserve so that in case the country has a calamity, Kenyans can be fed for at least one month.
He said SFR would like to buy more maize from farmers but the resources are limited as the government has only allocated Sh5 billion for the exercise.
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