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Boost supplies to stop sale of fake fertilisers

Editorial logo Nation.Africa

By  Editorial

Just days after news of the sale of fake fertilisers broke, the government has moved swiftly to plug the loopholes and ensure that farmers get quality inputs to boost production. 

This is what these hard-working people need to be able to get good harvests to improve their livelihoods and keep hunger at bay.

The government is replenishing stocks of subsidised fertilisers to address a biting shortage that crooks are trying to exploit as farmers rush against time to plant following the onset of the long rains. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe says hundreds of trucks have started delivering fertilisers to the National Cereals and Produce Board depots across the country to meet the high demand. This should come as a major relief to farmers, who had started panicking as the crooks tried to take advantage of the situation.

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Additional consignments of fertilisers are being shipped to the country after the demand outstripped the budgeted 3.5 million bags. The government plans to buy an extra five million bags for the next planting season.

The fertiliser subsidy is one of President William Ruto’s pet projects, which he initiated soon after taking office. As a result of his intervention, the price of a 50kg bag was slashed to Sh2,500. This led to good harvests during the first season, which fetched good returns for the farmers. The government insists that the fertiliser should be sold at Sh2,500 per 50kg bag.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has warned that crooks are using popular trademarks to dupe farmers into buying their fake fertilisers. The ACA and security agencies recently seized in Nakuru 233 bags of fertilisers priced at Sh23 million. Farmers and other people should be on the alert and report the sale of any suspected fake products, including fertilisers. The availability of counterfeit agricultural inputs threatens the nation’s food security.

The distribution of genuine fertilisers should be speeded up countrywide so as not to leave any room for crooked traders to sell counterfeits.