Government asked to support production of biological farm input

A network of pro-organic comprising 60 Civil Society organisations working with small-scale farmers countrywide have asked the government to consider supporting local production of biological farm inputs.

The organisations under the umbrella of Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Kenya (PELUM) said the biological farm inputs such as composts, blood meal, seaweed extracts and bone meal are alternative methods of soil fertility management.

In a communique read by PELUM chairperson Janet Mumo, the organisations said the organic fertilisers offer more benefits to farm health and the nutritional value of agricultural products than synthetic fertilisers.

Reading the communique during an organic indigenous food fair in Nakuru City that drew farmers from different parts of the country, Mumo said this move would also reduce dependency on imported fertilisers.

“COVID-19 Pandemic impacts, the war in Ukraine compounded with climate change truly exposed the vulnerability, fragility and dependency of the food system in Kenya,” she said.

Mumo said the civil organisations under PELUM were concerned by the government’s over-emphasis on mineral-subsidised chemical fertilisers that have spread a cycle of dependency and contributed to soil acidity.

“Kenya having hosted the Africa Soil Health and Fertiliser Summit in May 2024 showcased the great potential of biological inputs in enhancing soil health and food productivity,” she noted.

Mumo said the incentives by the government should include more extension support to farmers on biological inputs which are safe for people and the planet.

“We further urge the government to scale up locally relevant technologies and innovation for the production of biological fertilisers and empower youth as entrepreneurs at the community level,” she said.

The chairperson observed that this would cushion the country from unfortunate occurrences including the recent fake fertiliser scandal that left farmers confused while others uncured massive financial losses.