Flower council seeks help from State as fertiliser shortage bites

The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) has appealed to the government to help farmers access nitrate fertiliser, which is out of stock in most outlets.

The council noted that the situation is getting worse by the day and that the most affected are small-scale farmers who order fertiliser on a need-basis.

KFC Chief Executive Clement Tulezi blamed the shortage on the move by China to reduce its exports and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Tulezi said nitrate fertiliser is critical in flower production and the shortage is worrying.

"We are deeply worried by the shortage of nitrate fertiliser and we hope the incoming government can assist as we seek other markets to procure the input," he said.

He noted that soil fertility in the region had dropped sharply thus the requirement for fertilisers whose prices have shot up by three times.

Speaking on Tuesday, Tulezi was however quick to admit that the sector was stabilising after the effects of Covid-19 and the global financial crunch.

He said that though this was a low season, farmers were currently exporting 4,300 tonnes of flowers every week, a drop from 5,000 tonnes in July. "This is the low season but we expect things to change in the coming months," he said.

On the cost of flights, he said that this continued to be a challenge to many farmers, forcing them to use the sea which was cheaper.

Tulezi added that high cost of fuel and electricity was also a headache for farmers, and hoped that the incoming government would address it.