The anti-counterfeit agency has been challenged to crack the whip on substandard fertilizers that have flooded the Kenyan market and protect farmers.
This will also secure the country’s food production and food security.
Yara mila power fertilizer producing company commercial manager Vitalis Wafula said that substandard fertilizer in the market have cost Kenyan farmers a fortune and greatly affected food production. This, he said, risks putting Kenya into a food insecure bracket.
Speaking in Nakuru during the launch of a new fertilizer product, Wafula said it is unfortunate that farmers are falling victims of unscrupulous business men out to make money at the expense of the poor farmers.
“The anti-counterfeit agency must up their game and tame these cartels who are behind fake and substandard fertilizers in the market because if we don’t do so, the farmer will keep on suffering,” said Wafula
At the same time Wafula called on the national government to liberalize the fertilizer subsidy framework to allow farmers get subsidized fertilizers from companies of their choice.
He said such a commitment will enable independent fertilizer companies to invest in high technology that ensure quality products to enhance food security and maintenance of soil fertility.