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Farmers in the North Rift grain basket have decried the high cost of top dressing fertiliser, expressing fears that it will impact on food security in the country.

The farmers said they expected to purchase the top dressing CAN fertiliser at subsidised rates just like the planting DAP fertiliser currently going at Sh3,500 for a 50-kilogramme bag compared to Sh5,000 to Sh6,000 in retail shops. Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Kipkorir arap Menjo said yesterday that the top dress CAN fertiliser is the same with planting fertiliser which has not been the case.

Cost of production

According to Menjo, top dressing fertiliser should have even been Sh2,500 noting if it’s not done it will push up the cost of production high.

“We fear many farmers will be forced not to use top dress fertiliser which will impact on food production in the region. The government should support farmers to boost food production in the country as it has severally promised,” he stated.

Christopher Kolum, a farmer from Soy also said the government should move with speed and reduce prices of top dressing fertiliser.

According to him, farmers have a very short time of only 45 days after planting to apply top dress fertiliser.