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Kenya: High Costs May Cause Food Crisis, MPs Warn
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The Nation (Nairobi)
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 25 March 2008
Caroline Wafula
Nairobi
Rift Valley MPs have sounded the alarm over the high price of fertiliser and warned that it might result in a serious food shortage in the country.
Twelve MPs said Tuesday the price of fertiliser had shot up from between Sh1,500 and Sh1,800 to Sh4,000, making it too expensive for many farmers.
Led by ODM pentagon member William Ruto, the MPs warned that the planting season which kicks off this week in many parts of the country may be marked by minimal activity due to the high cost involved in planting.
The group addressed a news conference at Parliament Buildings where Mr Ruto, the Eldoret North MP, urged the Government to move speedily and subsidise the price of fertiliser to avert a food crisis.
An alternative will be an assurance to the farmers that the Government will buy a 90 kilogramme bag of cereals at the same price as a bag of fertiliser to justify their expenditure, the group stated.
The MPs demanded that the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, issues a clear statement this week.
"Many of the farmers are reluctant to start planting due to the high costs involved. The farming community is anxious and the Government must respond urgently," said Mr Ruto.
Cereal farmers
According to the group, the problem is especially being felt by cereal farmers, who are the main contributors to the country's food basket.
Apart from fertiliser, the group voiced concern over the cost of diesel which, it said, had risen by about 40 per cent in the last few months.
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The MPs also questioned the expenditure of funds contributed by donors and the Government to mitigate the effects of the post-poll violence, saying they were supposed to cover, among others, the farming community in affected areas.
Cherengany MP Joshua Kutuny said the leaders may consider advising farmers not to engage in farming but explore other ventures to avoid shouldering the high costs since returns were not guaranteed.
Other MPs present were Margaret Kamar, Musa Sirma, Charles Keter, Julius Kones, Jackson Kiptanui, Elijah Lagat, William Cheptumo and David Koech.
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