Fertiliser subsidy offer maize farmers bumper harvest

 

Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Agriculture Dr. Paul Ronoh at Lulu Farm in Trans Nzoia County

Kenya is expected to experience increased maize production this year as a result of the national government’s fertiliser subsidy programme.

Speaking at Lulu Farm in Trans Nzoia County, Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Agriculture Dr. Paul Ronoh hailed the government’s fertiliser subsidy initiative, terming it a timely intervention to the country’s food scarcity.

Revealing that maize seed growers contracted by the Kenya Seed Company have seen an increased productivity of more than twice what was harvested last year, Dr. Ronoh urged farmers to fully embrace government agricultural support programmes, especially fertiliser subsidies, which he said will help them maximise productivity.

He stated that in the two years since the fertiliser subsidy programme was introduced, the government has managed to distribute over 25 million bags of fertiliser, which are crop- and region-specific, to 15 million farmers in the country.

“The seed growers contracted by Kenya Seed Company have managed to increase their production of maize seed from 27 million kilogrammes last year to 70 million kilogrammes this year. This increased productivity can be attributed to several factors, but one which stands out is the government’s fertiliser subsidy programme,” said the PS.

As a result of the projected increase in productivity, the PS said plans are underway to ensure that National Cereals and Produce Board stores are made ready to receive maize produce from farmers.

Meanwhile, he revealed that the national government has distributed 100 mobile driers across the country to help minimise post-harvest losses.

He stated that Trans Nzoia County had received 15 of the distributed driers, and the government intends to supply 230 smaller driers.

“May I give an assurance to farmers who have harvested excess maize and may find challenges to market their produce that the national government has put in place strategies to procure excess of their produce,” he said.

The PS, who earlier visited the Kenya Seed Driers Complex at Kitale, stated that the government has put in place strategies to ensure enough maize seeds are readily available to farmers for planting next year.

He assured that only certified seeds will be on the market, explaining that loopholes which may have been used by brokers to supply fake maize seeds and other farm implements have been closed.

“We have enough certified-quality maize seeds for long and short seasons. Certified seeds for long rains will be distributed early in November for the next planting season. We have put in place teams to inspect the quality of fertilisers and conduct distribution exercises to ensure farmers get quality and timely service,” said Dr. Ronoh.

Highlighting the challenge of maize crop theft facing both Kenya Seed and Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) farms, the PS revealed that, with the help of the national administration, strategies have been put in place to mitigate the vice warning that those who will be found culpable will be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the PS encouraged farmers to consider planting sunflower crops to ensure that their farms are not idle after the maize harvest.

By Elvis Nalua and Sheila Kirui