NCPB introduces measure to curb fertilizer theft

NCPB introduces measure to curb fertilizer theft

The Government has suspended the packaging of subsidized fertilizers at the port of Mombasa following increasing cases of division of the commodity by unscrupulous businessmen.

This comes as the government confirmed the sacking of 22 National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) employees last year who are accused of having engaged in diversion of the subsidize fertilizer in parts of Nakuru and rift valley.

Instead, NCPB will introduce a warehousing system where fertilizer will be tracked from its depots spread across the country.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett said on Monday the vice of diverting government subsidized fertilizer had become a worrying trend that needs to be stopped in order to benefit smallholder farmers.

“We have put in place mechanisms right from the port right to the point the farmer is accessing the fertilizer. This year every bag of fertilizer is intended to reach the farmer,” Mr Bett said.

Thousands of these bags have over the years been stolen, diverted to connected businessmen in the open market.

This has left many farmers feeling betrayed by the subsidy program which they argue is yet to benefit them.

The government on Monday took stock of 27,000 metric tons of imported fertilizer to be used in this year’s planting season.

“We will no longer tolerate incidents where government puts in money and then the wrong people benefit from the same,” Mr Bett stressed.

The government has at the same time fitted all trucks transporting the fertilizer from the port with tracking devices to further curb diversion.

The fertilizer will retail at Sh1,800 per 50 kilogram bag.

Additional reporting by by Patrick Kanga

Tags:

kenya government farming agriculture NCPB fertilizer National Cereals and Produce Board Willy Bett smallholder farmers subsidy program Agriculture Cabinet Secreatry Willy Bett packaging tracking devices warehouse

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