Rongai MP Raymond Moi. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
Rongai MP Raymond Moi has faulted the government over soaring fertiliser prices.
In an interview with The Standard, Raymond noted that most farmers have been pushed to the edge by punitive costs of farm inputs which have almost doubled in the last year.
“Fertiliser prices have hit the roof. In Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia, a 50kg bag is retailing at Sh5,500 and Sh5,100 in Nakuru. This is worrying,” said Raymond.
Since last year, fertiliser prices have been increasing gradually rising from Sh2,700 early last year to Sh3,500 at the beginning of 2021 to over Sh5,000 for a 50kg bag currently.
The legislator questioned whether the government was aware of the impact the skyrocketing prices will have on the country’s food security if no price control measures are put in place.
“The government has been silent on this matter. Is this a deliberate effort to frustrate farmers for political reasons as we head to elections?” posed Raymond.
He called on the government to reinstate the fertiliser subsidy programme.
He faulted policymakers at the Ministry of Agriculture for failing to address such matters and ensuring that farmers aren’t exploited through an unfair pricing system of farm inputs.
“It appears there is a deliberate attempt to curtail certain agricultural sub-sectors by favouring some while making it difficult for others to thrive. For long the government has concentrated too much on tea and coffee as maize farmers continue to suffer,” said Raymond.
The MP regretted that the government has been keen to regulate maize and maize flour prices despite ignoring the costs incurred by the farmers.
“There is a lot of disappointment in places like North Rift because the emphasis has been on protecting consumers and not the producers. Farmers will be discouraged and will shift to engaging in other activities,” said Raymond.
He warned that such policies were weakening the local farmers while supporting foreign farmers and multinationals most of whom engage in the production of crops meant for export.
“A nation that cannot feed itself is a weak nation and unfortunately that is where we are headed. We should not depend on other people to feed us while frustrating our own farmers,” he said.
Raymond called for equitable sharing of resources allocated among the various sub-sectors to motivate all farmers towards maximising production and contribution to food security.
