By Samuel Ouma
Kenya’s National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has begun compensating farmers who bought substandard fertilizer under the fertilizer subsidy program.
This follows the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD) directive that all farmers who bought KEL fertilizers be compensated.
In a statement, NCPB Managing Director Titus Maiyo urged the affected farmers to lodge formal complaints by filling out a Claim Declaration Form that will be provided at the depot or Selling Centre where they bought the fertilizer.
They must also present their original national ID cards and evidence of purchase, including the exhibits where applicable, especially for individuals who have yet to use the fertilizer.
“All farmers who have utilized the fertilizers and NCPB has verified that they procured from their stores will be issued with an equivalent amount of the top-dressing fertilizer,” said Titus Maiyo.
“In the case of farmers who procured and have not utilized the fertilizer, they will be required to return the product to NCPB stores and be issued with equivalent amount of planting fertilizer. Farmers’ documentation must match with the existing records at NCPB’s Silos or depots in the mezzanine system.”
This comes following the public uproar after sub-standard fertilizers were distributed to farmers.
According to a report published by Africa Uncensored, a subsidized fertilizer known as GPC Plus Organics, packaged in 25kg bags, has been sold in various markets, with up to 5,840 bags sold to unsuspecting farmers nationwide.
These reports cast doubt on the validity of the agriculture ministry’s subsidized fertilizer program, raising concerns among farmers.
Following the expose, the Kenya Bureau of Standards initiated a probe, which revealed that some of the fertilizers on the market did not meet the required standard.
Eight senior officials from Kenya’s Bureau of Standards (KeBS) were suspended as a result. They were linked to issuing certification and quality marks to two companies associated with substandard fertilizer.
