Farmers need timely delivery of fertiliser, Lusaka says

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has urged the national government to ensure that subsidised fertiliser is delivered to NCPB depots on time ahead of the upcoming planting season.

Speaking at the Eldoret NCPB depot in his capacity as the Chair of Agriculture in the Council of Governors (CoG), Lusaka emphasised the importance of timeliness in farming. He warned that delays in fertiliser distribution could undermine farmers’ efforts and compromise harvests.

“Farming is all about timing. We cannot afford a scenario where planting fertilizer arrives when crops are already being weeded,” Lusaka stated.

The Governor further called for strict adherence to quality and quantity standards, noting that past incidents of poor-quality fertiliser and even stones being sold to farmers had eroded trust.

Lusaka also criticised the perennial shortage of fertiliser, which has often led to chaotic scenes of farmers scrambling for limited supplies.

He reiterated the Governors’ earlier proposal for counties to manage fertiliser procurement through conditional grants from the national government, a plan that was rejected.

“The national government must prioritise listening to farmers because they know what works best for them,” he added.

The Governor also encouraged farmers to explore agribusiness opportunities and diversify their farming practices to maximise profits.

In response, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono assured farmers that sufficient fertiliser stocks were already available in NCPB depots for both the short and long planting seasons. He urged farmers to begin purchasing fertiliser early to prepare for the next season.

Dr. Rono’s reassurance comes as farmers brace for the critical planting period, with timely support expected to enhance agricultural productivity and food security across the country.