Sample soil before planting, farmers told

By Mercy Kahenda and Edwin Cheserek

The Ministry of Agriculture has called on farmers in Rift Valley to conduct soil sampling to identify right fertilisers and seeds to use before planting.

Nakuru District crops officer Nancy Rotich said there has been poor production because farmers do not use the right variety of crops and fertiliser in accordance with climate and soils condition.

Rotich said farmers have continuously used DAP fertiliser without being aware of acidity content in the soils, a factor that has contributed to poor production.

“DAP contributes to high acidity in soils, which is not advisable for high production,” said Rotich.

Delays in planting

Rotich added soil sampling helps farmers to determine the right variety of fertiliser and seeds for high production. There have been complaints from farmers that there is a shortage of planting fertiliser.

She advised them to source alternative ways of getting enough fertiliser as they wait for supplies from the ministry to avoid delays in planting.

“There is high chance of climate change and utilisation of first rains is advisable. Farmers should not wait for supplies from the ministry but rather source from stockists to avoid delays in planting,” advised the officer.

Rotich, however, promised that the ministry will provide enough fertiliser by the end of this week at a subsidised price of Sh2,500 per 50kg bag of DAP.  A spotcheck by The Standard indicated fertiliser is being sold by retail outlets at between Sh3,700 and Sh3,800 per 50kg bag of DAP.

Rain patterns

The officer said there was enough maize seed for planting but advised farmers to plant short season seeds because the country is experiencing change of rain patterns.

The ministry is selling 10kg bag of maize seeds at Sh2,000 while retailers at Sh2,500. Meanwhile, farmers in Elgeyo/Marakwet County have decried delay in provision of inputs.

The farmers want the Government to prioritise construction of National Cereals and Produce Board depot at Iten.

The farmers made the petition through area MPs-elect Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) and William Kisang (Marakwet West) and the Agriculture Stakeholders Forum.

Mr Kangogo expressed concern that food production in the area was on a decline because of inadequate support from Government.

“We are endowed with rich soils that sustain farming activities but relevant authorities have been ignoring our plight,” he said.

The MPs suggested the establishment of mobile maize depots to forestall exploitation by middlemen.

Mr Kisang said farmers deliver their maize at a depot in Kapsowar.

“Elgeyo/Marakwet County forms part of the country’s grain basket and it has much untapped agriculture potential because of neglect,” he said.