Sh29bn shot in the arm to shore up food output

Trans Nzoia Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus (in glasses) hands over a bag of Mavuno fertilizer to a farmer in the Waitaluk area of the county. The county government supplied subsidized Mavuno fertilizer to locals in efforts to fight high acidic levels that had contributed to diminishing maize production in the county. Recently, the national government introduced a farm input subsidy programme for smallholder farmers. PHILIP BWAYO/ NATION MEDIA GROUP  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Agriculture sector has been allocated Sh29.3 billion in this year’s budget estimates, Sh9.5 billion of which will go towards boosting food security.
• The allocation is set to help farmers get certified seeds, fertiliser and fund irrigation schemes.

By Muchemi Wachira
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Small-scale farmers have the potential to turn subsistence production into commercial agriculture through new funding.

Agriculture, Kenya’s engine of development, has been allocated Sh29.3 billion in this year’s budget estimates. Some Sh9.5 billion will go towards boosting food security.

Recently, the government introduced a farm input subsidy programme for smallholder farmers. The plan has Sh3 billion seed allocation.

However, the industry has faced challenges. Farmers fail to get inputs, especially fertiliser due to high prices.

The subsidised fertiliser has not been effective either since it reaches farms late. But with plans to set up a fertiliser plant in Kenya, the key input is likely to become affordable to many growers.

Inadequate supply of certified seeds has also been hurting the industry. In 2013, maize output dropped to 38.9 million bags from 39.7 million bags in 2012 according to this year’s economic survey.

SHIFT TO IRRIGATION

Maize is Kenya’s staple food. And although the government has blamed poor production on erratic rains, farmers have a different reason.

“Poor maize seeds and delay in supplying subsidised fertiliser is to blame. We also cannot rule out climate change and the maize disease that was experienced in Rift Valley,” the chairman of the Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers, Nakuru chapter, Samuel Gitonga, said.

The government has shifted focus to irrigation, where at least one million acres of land would be put under irrigation in the Galana-Kulalu irrigation project in Tana River and Kilifi counties.

The project has been allocated Sh3.5 billion. The government has also set aside Sh2.7 billion for strategic grain reserves.

Availability of subsidised farm inputs boosted maize production in Malawi following the introduction of the plan by the late President Bingu wa Mutharika.

In the programme, smallholder farmers got subsidy vouchers to buy fertiliser and seeds. As a result, Malawi produced surplus grains for export but today, the situation has changed due to unpredictable weather pattern.