A crisis is looming in the country’s agriculture sector due to a severe shortage of government-subsidized fertilizers as the planting season begins.

Farmers fear this shortage will negatively affect yields and worsen food insecurity if not addressed promptly. Those who have managed to obtain fertilizer report encountering fake fertilizers and seeds from criminals exploiting the shortage to deceive farmers.

In several stores across the country, the government has resorted to rationing, forcing farmers to share the few available bags of fertiliser.

Hundreds of farmers visiting National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots have been left disappointed due to the shortage of vital fertilizers.

The situation is so dire that Bumula MP Jack Wamboka has threatened to file a motion for the impeachment of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe over the fertiliser shortage as the planting season begins in Rift Valley and Western counties.

Increased demand

Wamboka said that if the fertilizer shortage is not resolved this week, he will initiate impeachment proceedings against the Agriculture CS.

In the North Rift region, the Ministry of Agriculture moved to calm frustrated farmers who have been queuing at NCPB depots for the scarce subsidised fertilisers.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh explained that, similar to last year, the shortage at the onset of the planting season is due to an increased demand for a million extra bags of fertiliser by farmers.

Long queues were witnessed at the Eldoret NCPB depot during the PS’s visit, with frustrated farmers claiming they had been waiting for days without receiving the input. They expressed concerns that the planting season might lapse before they receive the necessary fertiliser.

The PS explained that the ministry had imported 3.5 million, but demand surged to 4.5 million bags.

“We delivered mountains of fertiliser and were almost shocked when we were told that there was a shortage. 3.5 million bags were delivered to depots, and the number of farmers buying the input increased,” Ronoh said at the Eldoret NCPB depot yesterday.

In Nakuru, frustrated farmers expressed their disappointment after waiting in vain at the NCPB stores.The farmers told journalists they were forced to take fewer bags than they needed.

“I need 20 bags for this planting season. I was shocked when I was informed that they had capped the supply to 10 bags per farmer,” said Nick Kiprotich, a farmer from Neissuit, Njoro.

Mark Chelimo, facing the same issue, pointed out that the rationing would severely affect planting plans.

“We were advised to use double the number of bags for subsidized fertilizer. If these bags are rationed, how will we plant to the required standards?” Chelimo asked.

Kamau Njenga voiced his frustration with the government, stating that the rationing adds extra costs for farmers who must make additional trips to stores for more supplies.

“The transport costs remain the same for those who need more bags. For every extra trip, we incur more charges, and this will affect the overall returns from our farms,” Njenga said.

 Large -scale farmers

Farmers from Rongai area lamented that they have been forced to buy fertilizer from stores in Nakuru town, despite the NCPB having stores within the sub-county.

NCPB Nakuru Branch Silo Manager Anthony Tanui explained that the rationing was caused by the surge in demand following the onset of the long rains.

“In the last week, we have been receiving hundreds of farmers daily. However, the rationing has mainly affected large-scale farmers. It ensures everyone gets a few bags sufficient for planting for the day as more supplies arrive,” said Tanui. He added that the issue had been raised with logistics teams, with normalcy expected to return this week.

Frederick Rono, a maize farmer from Kiminini, expressed dissatisfaction with the shortage, stating that he had no choice but to plant his seeds without fertilizer due to the delay.

In Nyanza, farmers reported they have yet to access the subsidized fertilizers.

[Report by Kennedy Gachuhi, Juliet Omelo, Stephen Rutto and Martin Ndiema]