North rift region has started experiencing first rains of the year. This is a wake up call for farmers to start preparing farms for maize planting this season.
On taking a drive through north rift counties you will realize that farmers are in hurry to till their land in readiness for sowing. Farmers have always started planting maize from mid march each year.
One of the problems affecting farmers is the delay in payment for the maize supply to the cereals board last year. Last month the government announced that it had allocated Sh 5 billion to pay farmers.
According to Hon. Silas Tiren farmers are yet to receive payments even after the government promise that payment will be prompt.
Delays in payment to maize farmers by the NCPB and the government’s withdrawal from subsidizing fertilizer has made this years planting season a difficult one.
With introduction of 8 percent tax on fuel and reduction of maize price from Sh 3600 in 2017 to Sh 2500 last year most farmers are struggling to have their farms prepared. it’s for these reasons that most farmers will not be able to secure most essential planting material like fertilizer.
Bizna Kenya has learned that fertilizer in Eldoret and Kitale is being sold at sh 3000 in most agrovet outlets. Early this year Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri had warned that the government will not subsidize fertilizer this year.
Mr. James Bowen, who has practiced maize farming since 1990, says the government has completely frustrated farmers, and as a result, produce will be largely affected at the end of the year
“The government is ruining the lives of many farmers. We thought that by raising fuel tax maize prices would increase as well but instead has been lowered by Kshs 1500 from the previous year.
We are told that this year fertilizer will not be subsidized, and NCPB is yet to release our money. We are in big trouble and none of our leaders are ready to help us”. Said Bowen.
Last month, Deputy President Dr. William Ruto assured farmers that the government is on the run to ensure fertilizer is procured in good time.
Early this week agriculture cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri met with opposition Chief Raila Odinga to discuss matters of ailing sugar industry in the country. In his statement to the press Kiunjuri avoided matters affecting maize farmers despite the urgency of the matter.