'Only 2,000 bags failed quality test,' Kuria tells farmers to ignore 'noise' on subsidised fertiliser
Public
Service and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has urged farmers
to continue purchasing genuine fertiliser in the wake of the long rains
currently being experienced in the country.
Speaking
on Sunday in Kaliwa, Teso South constituency, Busia County, Kuria urged farmers
to take advantage of the government subsidy program for sustainable food
production instead of giving in to what he called ‘noise’ and regret later.
“Out
of the six brands being distributed under the subsidy program, five passed the
quality test. Only one, Ken Chemicals, failed the test and their 2,000 bags
were withdrawn from the market,” Kuria said.
The
Ministry of Agriculture last week directed the National Cereals and Produce
Board (NCPB) to immediately cease distribution of NPK 10:26:10 fertilisers
manufactured by Ken Chemicals Limited.
The
five firms that passed the quality test include Mavuno Fertilizer, OCP Africa,
Falcon Fertilizers, Minjingu Mines & Fertilizer Limited and FOMI.
The
Senate Committee on Agriculture has since summoned CS Linturi and his Trade
Counterpart Rebecca Miano to appear before it and help unravel the fertiliser
puzzle.
At
the same time, Kuria on Sunday announced that the National Youth Service (NYS)
camp in Budalang’I would reopen with immediate effect.
He said
NYS will partner with Busia County to lease 10,000 acres of land for rice,
cotton and edible oil farming to curb imports and save on foreign exchange.
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