Farmers in Murang’a county have welcomed the extra reduction in fertilizer prices for a 50-kilogram bag through a government initiative under the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
The farmers expressed joy for the reduced-price terming it a relief on financial burdens as they prepare their farms ahead of the upcoming short rains planting season and the anticipated October-December long rains.
Scores of farmers gathered at the NCPB Maragua depot to collect the subsidized fertilizer from across the county recalled how the same 50 kilo bag previously retailed at Sh7000 before the price was reduced to Sh2500 and subsequently to the current Sh2000.
“We are happy with the Sh2000 price because fertilizer is essential for good high farm yields. I have already saved Sh3000 which I have allocated to purchase certified maize seeds while the rest will go to labour and transportation” said Njeri Ngugi a maize farmer in Kaharati, Murang’a south.
She noted that the price reductions have seen most small-scale farmers purchase their own fertilizer further boosting their yields
“Initially, a single 50-kilogram bag of fertilizer was out of reach for most of us, individually, so we would come together buy one bag and Share amongst ourselves but right now at Sh2000 each farmer can afford to buy their own bag
Teresia Nyambura a farmer from Saba Saba area echoes similar sentiments saying that the price drop is welcome and beneficial to them as farmers.
“I grow maize and beans in my acre of land, and today I have been able to purchase 3 bags of planting fertilizer and 3 for top dressing and I expect even higher yields than what I harvested last season. From her acre piece of land Nyambura harvested five 90kilogrma bags of maize.
She attributes this harvest to the subsidized fertilizer alongside other recommended farming practices.
“We expect a bumper harvest this season as well. And if the price can go down further to even Sh1500 or Sh1000, we will still appreciate and become even more productive ensuring that the food basket does not run empty,” She adds with a chuckle as She fastens her 4 bags of fertilizer on a motorcycle
Avocado farmer from Ndutumi, Wilson Nduati, observed that the reduced price would enable farmers to allocate more resources to other farm inputs and take better care of their farms.
He however called for continued efforts to make agricultural inputs affordable and readily available as high production costs still remain a challenge.
“As we collect fertilizer, we would like it to go hand in hand with other farm inputs like pesticides”
From his 150 stems of the avocado tree, he reveals that he was able to harvest up to 3 tonnes of the fruit despite facing the challenge of the partial mite.
“ I have increased the number of bags from last season to 8 and I believe this will increase my avocado yields even more as any reduction in prices gives us hope that we can plant, improve production and even make more profits from our ventures” he said
The farmers collected both Mavuno planting fertilizer and Mavuno topdressing.
by Florence Kinyua
