The government has found itself on a collision path with maize farmers yet again over its failure to supply subsidized fertilizers.
This is despite Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri saying that Sh2 billion had released for the purchase of the fertilizers.
According to Uasin Gishu, Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) director Kipkorir Menjo, the funds will not help farmers in any way as there is no time to allow the procurement process of the fertilizer.
“It is sad that fertilizer subsidy funds were released to the Ministry of Agriculture a week ago and procurement process, purchase, and subsequent delivery take at least two months. Is the government really serious? Who is fooling who?” asked Menjo.
“If the government is serious in assisting farmers, they should avail the vouchers to those who have been vetted and allow them to purchase their fertilizer from any credible source and they top up with subsidy amount per bag instead of keeping them waiting,” he added.
There has been confusion among farmers on whether they would get subsidized fertilizers after various government agencies among them the Strategic Food Reserve (SFR) admitted that they had not imported the commodity as expected.
However, speaking during the Eldore National Agriculture Society of Kenya (ASK) last week, CS Kiunjuri said Sh2 billion had been released to facilitate the subsidized fertilizers to farmers.
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