The Nakuru County government has begun the distribution of top-dressing fertiliser across the satellite stores to help farmers avoid transportation costs and reduce the habitually long queues at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
Among the stores where the top dressing fertiliser has been delivered are the Karunga Farmers’ Cooperative Store, Kampi ya Moto Store, Kiamaina Store, Kabazi Store, and Kiambogo Stores.
Speaking to KNA at the NCPB stores, County Executive for Agriculture Leonard Bor said his department will ensure the continuous distribution of top-dressing fertiliser to other satellite stores across the county in collaboration with the National Cereals and Produce Board.
He noted that the initiative is aimed at supporting farmers during topdressing, which is meant to boost nutrients for crops to enable them to rejuvenate faster, increase production, and support food security for the country.
Additionally, the officer said when farmers pick and source from nearby stores, it eases thei
r financial burden by reducing transportation and logistical costs associated with acquiring essential agricultural inputs.
However, some maize farms, especially in Rongai sub-county, are already submerged in water, and unless the heavy rains subside faster, the chances of losing all their crops are quite high.
Much as the local farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture, excessive amounts, like the current ones, turn tragic due to the flooding of farms, and in worse scenarios, the crops get flattened and wither off.
Source: Kenya News Agency