The government is working with investigative agencies to arrest and prosecute middlemen doing business with government-based fertilizers.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has put on notice for those who are benefiting at the cost of farmers.
Speaking during an impromptu visit to Kenya Cereal and Produce Board offices in Narok and Bomet, the CS confirmed that some business people have hatched plans to sell government fertilizer at a profit which was illegal.
“ I have learnt that our farmers have been exploited by cartels who acquire government fertilisers at subsidy price and sell it to them exorbitantly,” he noted.
However, Linturi noted that he was pleased that the fertiliser subsidy programme is going on well as planned by the government and that farmers will make a good harvest.
Did you read this?
“I am happy that the Fertiliser Subsidy programme is doing well and will help farmers achieve high yields this season. The programme is aimed at helping farmers access the commodity at a reduced cost of Kes3, 500 per 50kg bag, down from Kes6, 000,” he noted.
Further, he called upon farmers to register in the ongoing exercise to benefit from government subsidies.
Additionally, he revealed that the government was also working on giving farmers guaranteed minimum returns so that farmers can be sure of approximated market prices at the farm.
The government subsidy fertiliser is procured through the Kenya National Trading Company (KNTC) and distributed across the country through NCPB depots.
