Kenya - Farm inputs dealers in major towns are selling fertilisers at high prices due to shortage caused by delays in supply at NCPB. The Ministry of Agriculture has set prices for the fertiliser through NCPB but the supplies are yet to arrive at the board's depots. Sally Kosgey, who last week launched the NCPB fertiliser sales programme, said a 50kg bag will be sold at Sh2,500 for the DAP used for planting. Other recommended prices which have been advertised by the government include Sh1,600 for Urea and NPK while CAN will retail for Sh2,500 a bag.

Yesterday, a survey at most shops dealing with farm inputs in Eldoret, Kitale and Kapsabet revealed that DAP is selling at between Sh3,200 and Sh3,500.

Dealers are also complaining of shortages of the various types of fertiliser in the market, a situation which has contributed to high prices. Farmers who thronged the NCPB depots to enquire about the fertilisers were told that the product will be available by the end of the week.

NCPB managing director Joseph Misoi said more supplies have been dispatched to counter the rising demand by farmers who are preparing to plant mid of this month.

But farmer's representatives led by Musa Barno said the government should have made arrangements for adequate supplies before the planting season. He said the shortage of fertiliser at NCPB has made middle-men exploit farmers.

Mathews Ndanyi

Nairobi Star/10/03/2011