This archive report was first published on 3 January 2022.
Uasin Gishu, a major maize-producing region in Kenya, is facing a crisis due to high fertilizer prices. The prices of fertilizers have increased significantly, making it difficult for farmers to afford them.
According to farmers, the high cost of fertilizers has forced them to reduce the size of their maize farms. This is a worrying trend, especially given the country's reliance on maize as a staple food.
"We have no choice but to reduce the size of our maize farms to minimize costs following the increase in fertilizer prices," said Jackson Kosgey, a farmer from Moiben constituency in Uasin Gishu.
Kenya Seed Company has also increased the price of maize seeds to Sh4,700 per kilogram from Sh4,500, making it even harder for farmers to afford them.
"It's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain high production costs while maize prices are falling, a sign of the tough economic times for maize farmers," said Eliud Kibet, a farmer from Kerita in Kesses constituency, Uasin Gishu.
As a result, the government through the National Cereals and Produce Board is engaged in a price war with private companies to control the price of maize. The price of a 90-kilogram bag of maize has been set at Sh3,000.
