Following growing complaints from farmers and agricultural stakeholders over a shortage of fertilisers under the government subsidy programme, the government has finally responded.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono acknowledged the supply challenges, attributing the shortage to an unexpected surge in demand for the crucial farm input.
Rono admitted that the government had not anticipated such high demand, which surpassed the quantities initially allocated for distribution to farmers.
''We did not expect, from December when we walked into our stores, that the bags we had would meet the demand. I was personally surprised,'' Rono stated.
Speaking at the Kitale National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), he assured farmers that the government was actively addressing the issue.
He further stated that necessary measures had been initiated to restore supply and ensure farmers receive the fertilisers they need.
In response, the government released an additional one million bags to mitigate the shortage, despite a requirement of 5.5 million bags to fully address the deficit.
''We found that the number of farmers was higher than we had anticipated. We had projected to distribute 3.5 million bags of 50 kg fertiliser, but we have now realised that we need 5.5 million bags for the long rains,'' Rono stated.
''We have been forced to add 1 million bags to address the shortage. We already flagged them off at the port of Mombasa over the weekend, and they are already in transit to the interior parts of the country.''
Rono assured farmers that they would be able to receive the inputs at all NCPB stores across the country to enable them to continue preparing their farms during the April rains.
Furthermore, the PS revealed that the last-mile distribution programme would reach every farmer in the country, ensuring they can plant on time during the current rainy season.
Additionally, the government announced that distribution has been devolved away from NCPB officers and that farmers will be able to access the inputs at the sub-county offices.
