Farmers in Migori County have raised concerns over the slow process in the distribution of subsidised fertiliser at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Migori town.
Hundreds of smallholder farmers say the slow process is forcing them to incur extra costs, including daily travel to the depot and returning empty-handed.
Charles Owino, a farmer from Suna West Sub-County, lamented that he has been arriving as early as eight O’clock in the morning at the depot and waiting for hours for his turn for three consecutive days and yet leaving empty-handed.
James Orwa, another farmer from Suna East, said that the short rains have begun, yet they cannot plant because they have not received the subsidised fertiliser.
“We have started the September-December short season, and the majority of farmers like me have prepared our land ready to plant, but we are having a serious problem in accessing the fertiliser at the depot,” lamented Orwa.
A spot check by KNA across the four NCPB depots located at Ntimaru, Suna West, Awendo, and Kehancha Sub-Counties also revived the slow pace of acquiring the precious commodity for Migori farmers.
The farmers have appealed to the government and the Ministry of Agriculture to urgently intervene and ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the distribution process.
by Akoth Quinter & Makokha Khaoya
