Tanzania, April 17 -- Moshi. Some farmers in Kilimanjaro Region have raised alarm over a shortage of top-dressing fertiliser (urea), warning that the situation could lead to poor harvests in the current farming season despite adequate rainfall.

The farmers say the scarcity has persisted for more than three weeks, with many unable to secure supplies, while others are forced to buy at inflated prices from unscrupulous traders.

A 50-kilogramme bag of urea is reportedly selling at up to Sh150,000-double the subsidised indicative price of Sh75,000.

A spot check by Mwananchi in several agro-input outlets in the region found that the fertiliser was largely out of stock, heightening anxiety among farmers, particularly maize growers who rely on...