Algeria donates 16,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer to Kenya
![Algeria donates 16,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer to Kenya Algeria donates 16,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer to Kenya](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/117074/conversions/linturi-og_image.webp)
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and Algerian Ambassador to Kenya Mahi Boumediene at the Port of Mombasa on January 24, 2024. PHOTO | COURTESY
Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary
Mithika Linturi on Wednesday announced that Kenya has received 16,000 metric
tonnes of fertilizer donated by the government of Algeria.
Speaking in Mombasa while receiving the
consignment, CS Linturi said the country needs about 900,000 metric tonnes of
assorted fertilizer to adequately produce food in the country each year.
“As a country, we are humbled to receive
16,000 MT of urea fertilizer which is timely and in alignment with our cropping
calendar,” he said.
“As a country, we require 900,000MT of
assorted fertilizer to adequately produce our food. The government, through my
ministry, is committed to ensuring that smallholder farmers continue to access
subsidized fertilizer in order to cushion them against the high cost of
production.”
He said that this year, the government is
also planning to acquire 630,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer comprising of 50%
basal and 50% topdressing.
“We are therefore increasing investment in
edible oils, rice, cotton, tea and leather value chains. Fertilizer therefore
becomes a critical element in ensuring that productivity of the prioritized
crop value chains is achieved,” Linturi explained.
“In the current financial year, 2023-2024, my
ministry has planned to acquire 630,000MT comprising 50% basal and 50%
topdressing fertilizers. It is envisaged that the farmers who will access these
fertilizers will be able to double their production in order to enhance the
attainment of food and nutrition security.”
CS Linturi pointed out that the government
has mapped and registered 6.4 million farmers who are expected to benefit from
the subsidized fertilizer.
He underscored the importance of farming in
the country saying the President William Ruto-led administration was committed
to revamping the agricultural sector with a long-term goal of increasing food
production in the country.
“The government has prioritized some value
chains through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) that we
believe will be most effective in realizing food security, reducing food
imports and increasing exports,” Linturi stated.
“To serve the farmers better, we have mapped
and registered 6.4 million farmers alongside value chain actors such as
agro-inputs dealers, aggregators, processors, extension service providers,
marketing centers, transporters, among others.”
The Algerian Ambassador to Kenya, Mahi Boumediene,
on his part lauded the move saying it will strengthen ties between the two
countries.
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