Monday, January 16, 2012

Sh2 billion to buy fertiliser



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The government will spend Sh2 billion to import 60,000 tonnes of fertiliser. Managing Director of the National Cereals and Produce Board Gideon Misoi said the fertiliser, expected next month,  will include 30,000 tonnes of DAP and 30,000 tonnes of CAN. He said tenders for the importation of the fertiliser had been completed and that the procurement process is underway. Misoi has cautioned traders purchasing the fertiliser from NCPB and selling it to farmers at exorbitant prices.
Some farmers in the North Rift region have complained of a scarcity of the fertiliser. "We currently have more than 40,000 bags of fertiliser in some of our depots and we are moving to areas where farmers have began preparing land for planting," said Misoi. He assured farmers that the government will ensure there is adequate fertiliser in the country. Misoi said financial institutions had already agreed to help farmers to buy farm inputs either independently or through an arrangement with the NCPB.
The board is implementing the Warehouse Receipting System under which farmers can store maize at NCPB depots and use the receipts to access financial support from financial institutions. "Most of the major banks have been playing a critical role in supporting the agricultural sector but we have now settled on a deal with them to increase the support," Misoi said.

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