Kenyans Express Mixed Reactions After Using Gov't Subsidised Fertiliser: "Haiko Sawa?"

 

Kenyan farmers have expressed mixed reactions about the efficiency of the government subsidised fertiliser in enhancing farm yields. Pictures of maize crops posted by farmers showing a good outcome (r) and a poor outcome (l).  President William Ruto pledged to continue subsidising fertilisers to reduce the price, in line with his plan to subsidise production. Before the recent rains, the government distributed subsidised fertiliser through authorised distributors across the country. Concerns about the efficiency of gov't subsidised fertiliser Kenyan farmers on a Facebook page called 'Digital Farmers Kenya' shared mixed opinions after one asked whether the problem with his crops was the fertiliser he used. "What's your take on the government subsidized fertilizer? I used it this season and am not satisfied..... That fertilizer aaaaaiii No.... My corn is not okay," Hannington Agwanso Hamar asked in a Facebook post. A screenshot of the question posted on the 'Digital Farmers Kenya' Facebook page. Source: Facebook How Kenyans reacted: Jecinta Chesire said: Coming to our place is when you will thank God for what you have, it is bad here. Evelynn Chelangat said to Jecinta Chesire: We didn't even harvest at our place. Mom believed Kafmen because of Elnino, planted some more, and we lost it again. Double loss. Wilbur Kibiwott Mutai said: Before we talk of Fertiliser, check on your land preparation activities and crop mgt in terms of timely weeding. late land preparation coupled with uncontrolled grass (magugu) at crop developmental stages yields dismally. Again you have not told us the rate of Fertiliser used on your farm.  Ema Jepkemboi asked: Which seed variety had you planted? Hannington Agwanso Hamar replied with the variety he planted: Ema Jepkemboi dk777....,tsavo Ema Jepkemboi said to Hannington Agwanso Hamar: Maybe the seed was counterfeit, check out mine (shared the photo below). DK777 planted in October, govt fertilizer, scanty el nino rains, am happy. A photo of maize crops shared by Ema Jepkemboi to show him her crops were doing well with the government fertiliser.  Ireri Martin said: I used this govt fertilizer and results are waaauh. Wanjiru Wa Isa said: Hannington Agwanso Hamar, 0% phosphorus? That's where you lost it. Daniel Mutia replied to Wanjiru Wa Isa: Oooh.....during planting, he should have used high-P for root formation. Wanjiru Wa Isa replied to Daniel Mutia: Absolutely, most people plant with no fertilizer with the hope of topdressing. Daniel Mutia said to Wanjiru Wa Isa: Of which its a big mistake good yield begins right from the nursary bed, what u feed ur crops is directly proportional to what you will yield. Simon Maina said to Hannington Agwanso Hamar: " What was your application rate? I used NPK 23:23:0 and it's ok. Did you topdress? Mithika Linturi flagged off 900,000 bags of subsidised fertiliser Earlier on TUKO.co.ke, the CS for Agriculture, Mithika Linturi flagged off 900,000 bags of subsidised fertiliser and stated the government's plans to avail seven million bags to farmers in 2024. According to the CS, the subsidised fertiliser to be accessed at Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) tea buying centres will retail at KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag. "Plans are underway to ensure that a total of 7 million bags of fertiliser are availed during the long and short-rain seasons of 2024. This will cut across priority value chains as defined in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)," said Linturi on X. 

by  Elijah Ntongai