Uasin Gishu County farmers have got a reason to smile after the county government resolved to subsidize fertilizer to a cheaper price.
Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago said the farmers will have to form cooperatives for them to benefit from the subsidized fertilizers.
Wheat and maize farmers within the county will purchase planting fertilizer for Ksh. 1,600, down from the National Cereals and produce Board (NCPB) price of Ksh. 1,800 per 50 kilogram bag. The county has subsidized the input by Ksh. 200.
“It is only those farmers who will be in Sacco’s that will benefit from our plan and that is why we have always insisted for everyone to join a group,” Governor Mandago said.
The governor said wheat farmers who will be starting off their planting season July this year will be the first beneficiaries of the subsidization plan.
He said farmers in cooperatives would benefit from loans offered by the county government, at 5 percent interest which is another advantage.
“In a cooperative, farmers can pay and order the volumes of fertilizer they want,” he said.
Mandago was speaking while inspecting the grading of 15km Bayete – Kipkabus road which plays a crucial role of linking three maize and milk producing wards to markets.
He disclosed that the county will ensure that farmers forming cooperatives are aided to establish stores which will in this case serve as shelter for farm inputs.
Mandago advised the farmers to form groups which will help them get financial assistance, adding that its easier to aid farmers who are in groups.
“Farmers should form cooperatives which will enable them to access the inputs faster,” said Mandago.
The county of Uasin Gishu produces about 6 million and 2.5 million bags of maize and wheat respectively and by subsidizing fertilizer it will enable the farmers buy more which will help in boosting the crops hence increasing the production.
