By VITALIS KIMUTAI
Cabinet Secretary says the process of reviving the Kenya Meat Commission already underway
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei is undertaking major reforms in State corporations falling under the ministry.
He wants the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to embark on a process of appointing agents to distribute subsidised fertilisers to farmers across the country.
He said the appointment of agents would enable farmers easily access fertilisers and boost food production noting that unscrupulous businessmen were exploiting farmers by selling farm inputs expensively yet the Government had provided subsidies.
AGENTS
“There is an urgent need to bring on board agents to distribute fertilsers and other farm inputs,” Koskei said.
The Government recently imported 45,000 metric tones of fertilisers at a cost of Sh2.7 billion which are available to farmers through NCPB depots.
A 50 kilograme bag of DAP fertiliser is retailing at Sh2,500 while CAN goes for Sh1,600.
Speaking to The Standard, Koskei said the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) would be revived within the next three months so as to create market for beef cattle.
The Agricultural Finance Corporation, he said would also be expected to open up branches in all the counties so that farmers can easily access credit facilities to boost production.
FISHPOND PROJECTS
Koskei also indicated that fishponds would be initiated in all schools across the country to boost food production and inculcate the culture of diversification in agriculture to Kenyans.
“We need to re-engineer the way we do things so that we move from subsistence to commercial farming. As a country and with proper incentives to farmers, we have the capacity to produce enough for local consumption and export” Koskei said.
Koskei said the reforms would be geared towards boosting food production and ensuring farmers make maximum returns from their investment.
