Blow to farmers after Ksh5 billion subsidy is re-allocated to another ministry
By Julius Tuwei
Rift Valley farmers are up in arms following the decision by the National Treasury to remove a Ksh5 billion Supplementary budget meant for fertilizer subsidy.
The angry farmers expressed their outrage accusing the government of negligence ahead of a planting season.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Moiben MP Silas Tiren, pointed an accusing finger at his colleagues in the Budget and Appropriations Committee for failing to heed appeals by farmers in the country.
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File image of Moiben MP Silas Tiren. |Courtesy| The Standard|[/caption]
"We want to know if they think that Kenyans can do without farmers. We want the Ministry of Agriculture to come out clean on whether they are willing to help us or not. If they can subsidize fuel to the tune of Ksh12 billion every month, what is so difficult to set aside Ksh30 billion for farmers once in 12 months?” Tiren posed.
The lawmaker further pleaded with President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene over the matter claiming that the situation may lead to a food shortage crisis.
Currently, 50kgs of DAP fertilise is retailing at Ksh6000 and many farmers were expecting the government to intervene by allocating more funds.
According to reports, Ksh5 billion which was meant for farmers was reallocated to the Ministry of Interior that were supposed to relieve the farmers.
Further reports indicated that the funds will be utilised in preparing the Ministry of Interior for the upcoming general elections.
It is planting season in the North Rift region, however, many farmers my shun planting maize due to the high cost of farm inputs.
The aggrieved maize farmers accused Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya of being partisan.
File image of Moiben MP Silas Tiren. |Courtesy| The Standard|[/caption]
"We want to know if they think that Kenyans can do without farmers. We want the Ministry of Agriculture to come out clean on whether they are willing to help us or not. If they can subsidize fuel to the tune of Ksh12 billion every month, what is so difficult to set aside Ksh30 billion for farmers once in 12 months?” Tiren posed.
The lawmaker further pleaded with President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene over the matter claiming that the situation may lead to a food shortage crisis.
Currently, 50kgs of DAP fertilise is retailing at Ksh6000 and many farmers were expecting the government to intervene by allocating more funds.
According to reports, Ksh5 billion which was meant for farmers was reallocated to the Ministry of Interior that were supposed to relieve the farmers.
Further reports indicated that the funds will be utilised in preparing the Ministry of Interior for the upcoming general elections.
It is planting season in the North Rift region, however, many farmers my shun planting maize due to the high cost of farm inputs.
The aggrieved maize farmers accused Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya of being partisan. What's Your Reaction?
