Counties distribute fertilisers to farmers

Counties have started distributing cheap fertiliser to farmers as the planting season kicks off.

Under the arrangement, the counties buy the fertiliser and sell it to farmers at subsidized rates.

Officials in the county governments say the move is aimed at boosting food security as well promotion of agricultural activities which were devolved by the 2010 Constitution.

Besides fertiliser, the county governments have also been leasing tractors to farmers at a subsidised rates to enable them plough their farms. Farmers who have benefited include those in Bungoma, Busia, Kisumu and Nandi counties.

Busia County has started distributing certified maize seeds and fertilizer worth Sh30 million to farmers ahead of planting season.

The county executive member for agriculture Moses Osia said over 4000 farmers across the seven sub counties will benefit from the initiative meant to boost food security in the region.

Mr Osia said the farm inputs will improve farming and enable farmer’s plant on time noting that agricultural extension officers will be employed to teach farmers new method of farming.

“We want to ensure Busia becomes a food basket zone. We don’t want to see our having nothing to eat yet we have the resources,” he said.

While launching the food security drive in Busia Agricultural Training centre, Mr Osia said the county seeks to increase next season harvest by 60 per cent.

In Kisumu, farmers were scrambling for the cheap Di-ammonium phosphate that sell at Sh2000 for every 50kg bag, which is Sh500 less compared to its price last year.