Farmers fear losses as fertilizer prices soar

By Michael Chepkwony

Maize farmers in the North Rift have warned of low production this year due to high cost of fertilisers.

Like many others, Mr Samuel Kimutai, a large-scale maize farmer from Nandi County, has been compelled to use low amount of fertiliser contrary to recommendations.

The price of DAP fertiliser per 50kg bag in Kapsabet and Nandi Hills town is Sh3,600.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday in Kapsabet town as he purchased farm inputs, Kimutai said farmers in the region were not supplied with subsidised farm inputs as the long rains loom.

“Every year, the Government pledges that farmers will receive subsidised farm inputs in time but it rarely comes. When it does, it is often too late with the rains already pounding,” he said.

Kimutai said farmers using two 50kg bags of DAP fertiliser per acre had gone down to one bag.

“We have been forced to cut down because the cost is high and we do not have money since we experienced losses last year from the maize disease,” said Kimutai.

Farmers encountered losses after Maize Lethal Necrosis disease ravaged their crops last year.

The disease affected many maize plantations with Nandi North District, the leading maize planting zone, recording the highest loss.

The situation has left farmers who were solely relying on maize to generate them money for purchase of farm inputs for this year’s planting season, stranded.

Mr David Sitienei, a maize farmer from Kabiyet division in Nandi North District, said he sold some livestock to get money to purchase farm inputs. “But I’m afraid there might be low production since I did not use recommended amount of fertiliser,” he said. Meanwhile, farmers in Kakamega County have urged the Government to provide subsidised fertiliser as the commodity is not available in local National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores.

Accounts frozen

A spot check by The Standard in NCPB stores at Kakamega, Malava, Chavakali, Butere and Hamisi revealed that the farm input was not available due to what one of the officials claimed was a dispute between NCPB and its suppliers.

“All our stores are empty and we do know if there will be an end to this impasse. Our accounts have been frozen and our property in danger of being auctioned because of a court awarded Sh 522 million for breach of contract involving the suppliers,” said one of the managers of NCPB in the region who did not want to be named.