Hundreds of farmers across Migori County have flocked to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to purchase subsidized fertilizer and certified maize seeds in readiness for the anticipated onset of the short rains.
The rush has been prompted by weather forecasts and signs that rainfall is expected within the next few days, prompting farmers to prepare their land and secure farm inputs early to avoid delays in planting.
Most of the farmers, particularly maize growers, said they were determined not to repeat last season’s experience when prolonged dry conditions and the abrupt cessation of rains resulted in widespread crop failure and heavy financial losses.
Many said timely planting is critical to achieving better yields and ensuring food security for their families.
“I do not want to witness another failed maize harvest,” said Collince Otieno, a farmer from Oyani Division whom Kenya News Agency found at the Awendo NCPB depot.
“Like many other farmers, I have come to buy fertiliser so that I can take advantage of the expected rains. We are happy that fertilisers and seeds are available in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices,” he added.
Farmers interviewed at the depots praised the government for maintaining subsidised prices, saying the programme had significantly reduced production costs and enabled more small-scale farmers to access quality farm inputs.
From Kehancha and Ntimaru in Kuria to Migori Town and Awendo, NCPB depots recorded long queues of farmers patiently waiting to complete the purchasing process.
NCPB staff acknowledged the unusually high demand but assured farmers that adequate stocks had been set aside to meet their needs.
Awendo Silo Manager Gilbert Rotich said the board had enough fertiliser and seed supplies to serve all registered farmers before the planting season begins.
“We have sufficient stocks, and every genuine farmer will receive the required inputs before the rains set in,” Rotich said.
However, some farmers expressed concern over the limited availability of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP), a fertiliser that has traditionally been preferred for maize planting.
Instead, they were being supplied with alternative fertiliser brands containing similar nutrient compositions recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Despite the initial concerns, NCPB officials assured farmers that the alternative fertilisers were certified and would deliver comparable results when used correctly.
An NCPB officer at the Migori depot, identified only as Mr. Olum, said farmers should have confidence in the available products because they had undergone the necessary quality certification.
“The available planting fertiliser brands, including Mavuno, together with Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) for top dressing, are all certified and are retailing at the subsidised government price of Sh2,500 per 50-kilogramme bag,” he said.
Rotich dismissed claims that the alternative fertilisers were inferior, saying all products supplied through NCPB met the required quality standards.
“Selling substandard or uncertified fertiliser is not our business because it would undermine the government’s efforts to improve food security and agricultural productivity,” he said.
He urged farmers to purchase fertiliser only from authorised NCPB depots and licensed agro-dealers to avoid counterfeit products being sold by unscrupulous traders.
The manager also appealed for patience, noting that the current congestion at the depots had resulted from many farmers waiting until the onset of the rains before purchasing inputs.
“These fertilisers have been available in our stores since May. Many farmers delayed buying them because planting was not an immediate priority then. Now that the rains are approaching, everyone is coming at the same time,” Rotich explained.
He said the subsidised fertiliser programme is strictly managed to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit.
According to Rotich, every farmer is required to present an authorisation letter or voucher issued by the Ministry of Agriculture indicating the acreage under cultivation and the quantity of fertiliser allocated.
“We are guided by official documents from the Ministry of Agriculture on the quantity each farmer qualifies to receive. Anyone who purchases subsidised fertiliser and later repackages or resells it at inflated prices is committing an offence,” he warned.
Some farmers acknowledged that middlemen were taking advantage of the long queues to resell subsidised fertiliser at higher prices.
They appealed to the government to strengthen monitoring and increase staffing at the depots to speed up service delivery during peak demand periods.
The farmers expressed optimism that with timely rainfall, adequate fertiliser supplies and improved access to certified seeds, Migori County would register a better maize harvest this season after the devastating losses experienced last year.
By George Agimba
