More than 300 peasant farmers in Nakuru are blaming the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for what they term as favoritism from the Board in the sale of subsidized fertilizer from the Government.
The farmers who have been camping for three days at the NCPB offices in Nakuru on Thursday alleged that the Board’s officials have been selling fertilizer to wealthy merchants while ignoring the plight of farmers in the region.
"The NCPB has for long neglected us especially in the supply of the subsidized fertilizers. Only 20 farmers are attended to a day by the officials, something that will definitely cause our delay in planting and harvesting as anticipated," John Karanja one of the farmers stated.
The program is championed by the state department of Agriculture to enable peasant farmers to access subsidized farm inputs in a bid to upscale food production in the country. However, they now claim the initiative has been corrupted by the officials for their selfish gains.
"This program was meant to support peasant farmers but it has now been turned into an avenue of convenience for wealthy merchants and corrupt employees of the board," Pauline Mburu said.