The ministry of agriculture has called for establishment of a separate revolving fund to assist traders who are dealing in fertilizer importation. Under the 2016-2017 budget frame work paper, the ministry of agriculture has resolved to prioritise seeds and planting material after securing additional 100 billion shillings from government in this budget.
While appearing before the parliamentary agriculture committee, the minister for Agriculture Tracy Buchanayandi said that the business of fertilizers is a risky venture to invest in, which calls government to assist the few traders in this business. He explained that currently farmers are using 2kg per hectare per year, yet the ultimate target is 240kgs per hectare per year.
The Member of Parliament for Yumbe district Huda Alero was furious that the government officials under the operation wealth creation deliver planting seeds as late as October which fails farmers to plant early and what is planted late gives them poor yields.
The 2016-2017 agriculture budgets has risen from 479.9 billion shillings to 627.7 billion shillings. The budget gives 15 billion shillings to distribute free planting materials to farmers and 18 million free hoes will be given to farmers.
