It is all smiles for farmers in Nyahururu town and its environs as they started flocking to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Nyahururu depot in Nyahururu town for government-subsidised fertiliser.
The farmers started flocking to the NCPB depot early this week after receiving the subsidy voucher code on their mobile phones last Friday.
In an interview with KNA, NCPB Nyahururu Depot Manager Robert Apenyi said for now the farmers are receiving two brands of fertiliser, Yara and Mavuno, noting that the distribution in the region is timely and will help the farmers to be prepared for the coming planting season.
He also affirmed that the e-voucher system in the depot is running smoothly, which is fast-tracking service to the farmers, adding that on average the depot serves 200 farmers.
Mr. Cyrus Muigai, a farmer from Nyahururu, lauded the government for the subsidised fertiliser, which he said is affordable at Sh2,500, down from the Sh6,500 market price.
“The process of accessing the fertiliser is easy, fast, and transparent since the registered farmers are receiving the subsidy voucher code, which they are presenting to the depot for collection of subsidised fertiliser,” noted Muigai.
Mr. Mungai appreciated the fast and smooth process of the collection of the fertiliser, attributing it to the smooth and uninterrupted e-voucher system.
Willy Rerimoi, also a farmer from Nyahururu, appreciated the government for the subsidised fertiliser while urging the government to facilitate farmers on soil testing for ease of choosing the fertilisers suitable for their farms.
Rerimoi said social media was making access to information concerning weather updates and other agricultural programs easy, helping them improve their farming results.
By Esther Wanjiru and Joseph Kamau