Lower cost of inputs, says MP

Food shortages will continue in the country if the Government does not take steps to reduce the price of farm inputs, an MP has said.

Mr Eugene Wamalwa of Saboti said most farmers could not afford the high cost of fertiliser.

A 50-kg bag of Di-ammonia Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser which was going for Sh4,000 last year was now selling at Sh6,500. This, he said, would reduce acreage under maize.

Mr Wamalwa said the cost of ploughing an acre of land had also gone up and asked the Government to supply subsidised fertilisers as the planting season had started in some areas.

The legislator, who was speaking in Bungoma, wants farmers protected from middlemen.

“Farmers in foreign countries are protected by their governments and Kenya should do the same to stop further suffering by farmers.”

In Kerio Valley, farmers are complaining that essential commodities like fruits and vegetables worth thousands of shillings are rotting in farms due to lack of market.

The farmers say they cannot take their produce to markets in the North Rift due to the poor roads.

Heavy rains

Drawn from Marakwet and Keiyo districts, they singled out Biretwa-Chesoi-Chesongoch road as impassable after the recent heavy rains.

“Several tonnes of our farm produce are going to waste as we cannot access market in the region due to the impassable roads,” Ms Mary Cheptoo of Chesongoch said.

The price of some food crops has also dropped drastically. Public transport operators have threatened to pull their vehicles from the route.

Additional reporting by Barnabas Bii