Former Uasin Gishu Senator Isaac Melly has joined other politicians and farmers in the North Rift in asking the government to lower the cost of farm inputs.
The cost of fertilizers has been of concern to farmers, especially as they prepare for the planting season.
Currently, a 50 kilograms bag of planting fertilizer costs up to Ksh6,000.
It is this high cost that Melly, who is eyeing the Soy MP seat is asking the government to address, by providing subsidies to farmers.
“Farmers are confused. Rains are here but the situation is discouraging. We used to buy fertilizer at Ksh2,000 per bag, and there were returns for farmers. The situation now is unfortunate,” noted the former Senator.
He is now asking the government to ensure farmers are protected, by lowering the cost of the farm inputs.
But even as the Soy MP aspirant appeals for the lowering of farm inputs, he has expressed optimism that with the UDA government, things will be better for farmers.
Deputy President William Ruto has pledged to lower the cost of fertilizer to Ksh2,500 per bag within the first 100 days, should he succeed in becoming the country’s fifth president.
And as the DP pledges a drop in fertilizer price by half, Melly says, if elected MP, he will revive a bill he drafted in 2014 that requires the government to pay half of the cost of farm inputs.
“The Agricultural Support Program Bill is meant to ensure government supports farmers. If passed, it will be guaranteed that the government pays half of the cost,” noted the MP aspirant.
He says for farmers, farming is the main source of income.
“Government should feel for us. This is the source of income, it helps our people put things on the table. We plead with the government to subsidize fertilizer. At worst it should be Ksh3,000,” Isaac Melly said.
The former Senator is among a host of aspirants eyeing the Soy MP seat on a UDA ticket.
Others are the current Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat, former MP Edwin Barchilel, and teacher’s union boss Julius Korir.
