Over 2,000 farmers from Kesses constituency in Uasin Gishu County have a reason to smile following support of farm inputs from area Member of Parliament Dr. Swarrup Mishra.
Many farmers in the county have been lamenting over the high cost of inputs – especially fertilizers.
Some have already given up planting this session, with others focusing on planting maize only for their own consumption.
But in what might come as a sigh of relief, the farmers can now plan to plant their farms.
This is after each of the 2,000 farmers received a bag of fertilizer and seeds from the legislator on Friday.
According to Mishra, the move was aimed at ensuring the vulnerable families go back to their farms – amid the high cost of the inputs.
A bag of 50-kilogram fertilizer is now retailing at Ksh6,700.
“I had no plans to plant because the cost is too high but with this support, I am sure my family will have something to eat next year,” said a farmer who benefited from the initiative.
“I was only looking at planting a small portion of my land for the family. This support has come at the right moment,” added another farmer.
Farmers across the North Rift are now preparing to start planting in anticipation of the long rains.
“The government should look at a way to subsidize fertilizers for the sake of farmers. Other MPs in the region should also consider introducing an initiative similar to this one by Dr. Mishra,” said Charles Tanui, a resident of Kesses Sub County.
The Kesses MP is seeking re-election in the upcoming poll as an independent candidate.
He was elected in 2013 on a Jubilee party ticket, but has opted to go independent due to what he describes as “different scenarios and politicization of political parties.”
Should he be given a second term as MP, Dr. Mishra is pledging to provide free tractors to farmers to help them in preparing their farms.
“I will give you free tractors but you will pay for the fuel,” the MP said during giving out fertilizer and seeds to locals.
