Farmers decry fertiliser prices

Farmers want clarity on phosphate fertiliser prices

 A 50 kilogram bag of fertilizer, also known as DAP, is retailing from Sh2700 to Sh2800 from its subsidised price of Sh1800

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya had, on March 6, announced that the phosphate fertiliser would retail at Sh2300 for every unit.

Farmers say they are not sure whether the price is applicable this year or next year.

However, he was categorical that there will be no government subsidy on the same.

Private dealers have taken advantage to sell the commodity at higher prices – more than double the price of the subsidised one.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya

Although the announcement by Munya at this year’s Agriculture Show in Eldoret was received with much joy, maize farmers still buy the farm input at high prices, pushing them to seek clarity on when exactly the new costs will be applicable.

Fertiliser demand is intensifying because it is the sowing season for the maize farmers in North Rift.

Sila Kiplimo, a farmer in Soy urges the CS to fast-track the implementation of the new prices so that production of maize is not affected.

“It will be great for us to know that the prices move from Sh2700 or Sh2800 to the one the CS announced which was Sh2300, because as it is, there will be no subsidy,” another farmer told KTN News on Tuesday.

Another farmer told KTN News that the ministry hasn’t given any clear direction after it said it will import new quality fertiliser.

The farmers also decried the low maize prices that have left them with meagre profits after investing heavily in production.