NCPB to compensate farmers who bought sub-standard fertiliser
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has begun the process of compensating the farmers who bought substandard fertiliser.
NCPB's moves come after the fake fertliser scandal that rocked the Ministry of Agriculture. After long public cries, the board has now decided to compensate those who bought the product.
"This (compensation) follows a directive from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD) that all farmers who bought KEL fertilizers be compensated," NCPB said via a press release.
Requirements for compensation
Before getting the compensation, the farmers need to fill out a form that shows where they bought the fertiliser among other requirements.
"All affected farmers are urged to lodge formal complaints by filling out a claim declaration form that will be provided at the depot or selling centre where they bought the fertilizer.
"They are also required to present their original national ID cards and evidence of purchase, including the exhibits where applicable (for those who have not used the fertilizer)," the statement added.
For the farmers who have already used the fertiliser, they will get a different kind of compensation, NCPB said.
"All farmers who have utilized the fertilizers and NCPB has verified that they procured them from their stores will be issued with an equivalent amount of the top-dressing fertilizer.
"In the case of farmers who procured and have not utilized the fertilizer, they will be required to return the product to NCPB stores and be issued with an equivalent amount of planting fertilizer," it concluded.
However, the farmers' documentation must match with the existing records at NCPB's silos or depots in the mezzanine system.
The scandal saw Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi come under fire, with some calling for his sacking. President William Ruto had also said those who were involved should carry their own crosses.
NCPB further said that they have distributed three million bags of planting and 300,000 topdressing fertilizer for the long rainy season to registered farmers.
