The national government has expressed its commitment to supply farmers with more than 300,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers during this long rain season to enable them to increase crop yields and enhance productivity. Speaking to the press at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) offices in Kisii town, State House Spokesperson Mr. Hussein Mohamed said the government had transacted Sh. 3.7 billion in the purchase of fertilizers and over one million bags had been bought by farmers at a subsidized rate of Sh. 3500 per bag, throughout the country. ‘Farmers in Kisii and Nyamira counties are now receiving subsidized fertilizer through the government’s Fertilizer Subsidy programme, meant to cushion farmers against the high cost of fertilizer, increase agricultural production and address food insecurity,’ Mohamed said. He noted the high cost of fertilizers has been a major challenge to farmers prompting the President to address the issue by making fertilizers more accessible and affordable and getting rid of middlemen so that farmers can get what they deserve. Mohamed noted the government has registered five million farmers in the last six months and distribution is being managed and implemented digitally and efficiently. The Spokesperson noted that out of the 134,538 registered farmers in Kisii County, 7,800 bags of fertilizers had been supplied while in Nyamira County, 80170 farmers had registered for the subsidy and 2,780 bags had been disbursed. He urged farmers to take advantage of the ongoing digital registration at the Assistant Chiefs’ offices countrywide saying the process will not only promote efficiency, but also enhance traceability, accountability, and transparency in fertilizer distribution. Meanwhile, President Dr. William Ruto is expected to begin a three-day working tour of Kisii and Nyamira counties where he will inspect and commission several projects in line with the government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda. Some of the development projects that will be launched include the commissioning of the Kegati Water project in Kisii, the affordable housing project in Sironga (Nyamira County), and the commissioning of Gamba-Kegogi and Gekano-Rigoma-Amabuko roads. President Ruto will also attend a thanksgiving ceremony of the Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu in Getacho primary school and thereafter, hold several meetings with the people and leaders from the region. Gusii leaders from the region led by the Education CS have welcomed the President’s visit terming it timely adding that it will go a long way to change the lives of the people of Gusii.
Source: Kenya News Agency