Government releases Ksh. 3.5 Billion for fertiliser subsidy

In a statement on Tuesday, Agriculture Principal Secretary Francis Owino noted that the move is in accordance with the directive given by President William Ruto that the government will create interventions meant to make fertilizers affordable to farmers and boost crop productivity.

President Ruto directed that 1.4 million bags of fertilizer be availed to farmers at a maximum subsidized price of KES 3,500 per 50Kg bag down from the current price of up to KES 6,500.

PS Owino noted that the subsidy fertilizer programme will begin in counties which are planting during the short rains season and be availed through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Depots and sub-depots countrywide.

"To actualize the Presidential directive, the subsidized fertilizer programme will start with counties undertaking planting during the short rains season of 2022. The Government has availed Kshs. 3.55Billion to subsidize 71,000 Mt (1.42 million x 50 Kg bags) of fertilizer for growing food crops during the short rains season. This quantity will support cultivation of approximately 1.4 million acres," wrote Owino.

"To ensure efficient delivery and effective control mechanisms are in place, the fertilizers will be availed through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Depots and sub-depots countrywide, effective 19th September 2022. Individual farmers will be entitled to a maximum of 100 x 50 kg bags of fertilizers."

Following the directive, fertilizer prices therefore stand at:

DAP (Ksh.3,500) CAN (Ksh.2,875) UREA (Ksh.3,500) NPK (Ksh.3,275) MOP (1,775) and Sulphate of Ammonia will go for Ksh. 2,220.