Bungoma farmers push for more subsidized fertilizers before onset of rains

By Isabella Maua

Mt. Elgon farmers have expressed their gratitude regarding allocation and distribution of subsidized fertilizers and seeds to the vulnerable and People Living with Disability in the region.

The program which was facilitated by Bungoma County government has seen 500 farmers in Elgon ward get 50 kg of planting fertilizers,50 kg top dressing fertilizers as well as 10 kg maize seeds.

Margaret Chemengu, a farmer from Chemworemwo (Elgon ward) has applauded Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka for pushing his developmental agenda thus far.

“Governor Lusaka has remembered us and we’re grateful he has kept his word and incorporated the poor and vulnerable in this program; I take care of my orphaned grandchild with no source of income but now that I’ve received my fertilizers and seeds, life will be a little easier,” said Chemengu.

Her sentiments were echoed by David Kipsirei a farmer from Sambocho who also gratified the exercise that has seen poverty stricken families benefit impartially.

“This exercise has in my opinion been transparent and fair since I’ve seen widows, very poor people and People living with disability walk home with their bundles of fertilizers and seeds; we hope the government will continue with the same spirit in all other developmental aspects of life,” Kipsirei commented.

Dennis Cheptot a farmer and bodaboda operator from Kaptama ward is optimistic that his sector will be incorporated among the beneficiaries of this program.

“We implore the County government to consider the vulnerable among our bodaboda members and assist them too get the farm inputs,” appealed Cheptot.

Zadock Mwanga, Mt. Elgon Sub County Administrator confirmed that the vetting exercise was transparent and fair since public participation was fully embraced in determining the vulnerable people in the villages.

Contrary to these, farmers who had applied for subsidized fertilizers which is sold at the National Cereals and Produced Board have lamented that the exercise hasn’t been fair as promised.

Maurice Chepteek, a farmer who had applied for fertilizers has been visiting the Cereals Board for 1 week now but each day he’s left on the line and has to go back home empty handed.

“ It’s very unfair for us to be coming here and leaving our jobs to pick out fertilizers in vain; the bags that are brought are very few and cannot even sustain ¼ population of us,” decried Chepteek.

Titus Maiyo, The Regional Manager in charge confirmed that the amount of fertilizers received vis a vis the number of registered farmers wasn’t sustainable.

“We at times have to regulate the amount of bags we give each farmer so that at least everyone who has travelled to Kapsokwony takes something home; however, we’re expecting more trailers of fertilizers and rest assured each farmer will get their allocated bags before the onset of rains,” assured Maiyo.

Some of the reliable sources who spoke exclusively to The Times Newspaper have however revealed that less than 10,000 bags have since been received in the Mt. Elgon depot and not even ¼ of farmers have received their fertilizers.

The sources also added that the money received goes directly to Kenya National Trading Corporation and not to the Cereals Board so they have no authority over the bags they receive.

“Some of the trailer drivers have also been very reluctant to come to Mt. Elgon citing delayed payment after covering such a long distance to this place,” a reliable source divulged.

The bottom line remains farmers have to get their fertilizers soonest possible since all signs show that the long rains are yet to start, given that Mt. Elgon is the bread basket of Western and Nyanza region the leaders have no option but to bring farmers’ dreams to realization.