Updates on ‘Fertile Deception’
The Senate has started hearings on the fertilizer subsidy following the 'Fertile Deception’ story. Also, we're doing an audience survey. Details below.
Hello,
A lot has happened since we published Fertile Deception, the in-depth investigative story looking into a product marketed as organic fertilizer that was distributed to Kenyan farmers, but which turned out to be diatomaceous earth, mined in Kariandusi and packed in bags for nationwide distribution.
Here’s a Twitter thread on what we know so far. Tap the video below to watch Part 1 of the documentary, and here to watch Part 2.
On Wednesday, 20 March, the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock summoned the Kenya Bureau of Standards MD Esther Ngari to inquire further on the fertilizer being distributed in the country.
Ms Ngari stated that the samples KEBS had tested did not contain organic matter as stated. By law, organic fertilizer should contain at least 70% organic matter, and the GPC Plus samples they had did not meet this threshold.
This confirms the findings from the tests we featured in the documentary, which shows that the product being marketed as organic fertilizer contained very little nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These key nutrients are needed for plant growth, and the fact that they were
As we also found out in the course of our investigation, the fertilizer was incredibly popular with farmers due to its low cost, and many who used it experienced poor yields, putting Kenya's food security at risk.
Have you been affected by the fertilizer in question? Leave a comment, and we’ll get in touch.
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Listen again
Wondering what happened behind the scenes of the production of Fertile Deception? Well, wonder no more. In this podcast, Cynthia talks about how the storycame about.
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