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Fertiliser delays threaten this year’s maize harvest in Kenya’s breadbasket
Workers offload bags of subsidised fertiliser from a truck at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Elburgon, Nakuru County on March 25, 2025.
Maize farmers in Trans Nzoia County have been left stranded due to an acute shortage of top-dressing fertiliser, threatening crop yields as the critical application window coincides with peak demand.
Farmers across the county have raised alarm over the scarcity of top-dressing fertiliser, saying the shortage at depots run by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Kitale and surrounding areas has disrupted crop production schedules.
A spot check by the Nation at the Kitale NCPB depot this week found farmers struggling to procure essential top-dressing fertilisers, including CAN and urea, which were out of stock.
Farmers expressed frustration over delays by the Ministry of Agriculture in ensuring the timely distribution of subsidised fertiliser to cushion them from high production costs.
They also voiced concern over what they described as a slow procurement process, warning that delays in supplying top-dressing fertiliser could adversely affect maize production this season.
“The government knows that this is the time for us to start top-dressing our maize. Why are they delivering planting fertiliser instead of the right fertiliser needed?” said Mr Joseph Kirui from Kwanza Sub-county.
Ms Judith Okango, a farmer from Bidii area said many farmers are stuck and unsure where to purchase the required fertiliser as delays persist.
“Where is the mix-up? The government is confusing us despite its understanding of our planting schedule. Our maize production could be affected if we do not get the fertiliser on time,” she said.
Farmers also questioned the government’s silence on the cause of the shortage and delays in distributing subsidised fertiliser.
“This is a critical season for us and the government is failing us because right now we do not know where to buy the fertiliser, yet the rains are already here,” said farmer David Wafula from Kiminini.
A spot check by Nation on Tuesday at the Kwanza last-mile distribution centre and the Kitale NCPB depot revealed that many farmers were stranded and struggling to redeem their fertiliser vouchers.
Trans Nzoia County Director for Crop Production Mr Kennedy Kaggai said farmers who planted during the early rains are now due for top-dressing, stressing that timely application is critical for optimal yields.
However, in a response, the NCPB corporate communications department said a fertiliser consignment is being dispatched from Mombasa Port and urged farmers to remain patient.
The board said it has maintained a steady supply of both planting and top-dressing fertiliser since December, attributing the current shortage to overwhelming demand.
“We have supplied over two million bags since last year, and additional consignments of 200,000 and 430,000 bags are currently being distributed from Mombasa to our depots,” said Mr Titus Maiyo, the board’s Corporate Communications Manager.
He added that priority has been given to regions experiencing long rains, including the North Rift and Western regions, to prevent production setbacks.
“We are calling on farmers to be patient as the consignment has started reaching their nearest depots and last-mile distribution centres,” he said.
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