The County Government of Kisii has intensified the crackdown on counterfeit agricultural input products following the recent bursting of a fake fertilizer syndicate in the region.
Addressing the media at the Kisii County Commissioner’s office, the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development Elijah Obori revealed that the county security team held a crucial meeting to strategize ways of combating the unscrupulous business persons involved in sale of fake fertilizers.
The meeting comes hot on the heels of a recent expose in Suneka, where individuals were found manufacturing counterfeit fertilizer. The suspects have since been apprehended and arraigned in court.
“We are here to inform the public that our farmers should not go to the markets and purchase anything purported to be fertilizer from open-air markets,” Obori stated.
He urged farmers to be cautious and only purchase fertilizers from designated agro-fed shops, especially during the current planting season.
“It is crucial for our farmers to avoid open-air markets and instead buy fertilizers from authorized dealers to ensure they are getting genuine products,” he emphasized.
Obori also warned against the purchase of uncertified seeds from unauthorized vendors. “Seed sold in open-air markets does not meet the standards required for planting. Using uncertified seeds could lead to poor crop yields and affect food security,” he noted.
The CEC highlighted the serious implications of using fake fertilizers, pointing out that their unknown origin and unverified composition could jeopardize food security.
“When farmers buy fertilizers from unregulated sources, it affects food security because the source of that fake fertilizer is not known and it cannot be traced,” Obori cautioned.
To curb the illegal trade, Obori announced that the county would conduct a comprehensive crackdown on counterfeit fertilizer vendors across all markets.
“We are going to carry out an operation in all markets within the county. Anyone found selling fake fertilizers will be apprehended and prosecuted,” he warned.
The Kisii County Government’s aggressive stance against counterfeit agricultural products aims to protect farmers’ investments and ensure the region’s food security.
Farmers and consumers have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
By Misheba Alfred