Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru lead in uptake of subsidised fertiliser; 3 million bags sold so far

Farmers across the country have purchased more than 3 million bags of fertiliser under the fertiliser subsidy programme, the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) said Monday.

The subsidy program has seen the price of fertiliser reduced from Ksh.7,000 to Ksh.3,500 per bag. The fertiliser is available in 109 outlets run by the KNTC, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and stores in counties.

Data collated on a daily basis shows that as of the close of business on June 10, a total of 3,050,731 bags of both planting and top-dressing fertilisers had been redeemed by farmers from 40 counties.

The bulk of the consignment was planting fertiliser, with KNTC having transacted fertiliser worth over Ksh.10.7 billion.

At the same time, some 1,715,452 bags of planting fertiliser had been purchased by farmers from the 40 counties.

Farmers from Uasin Gishu County are leading in the uptake of planting fertiliser, redeeming 402,366 bags, followed by Trans Nzoia (240,097), Nakuru (213,242), Nandi (109,190) while Narok farmers redeemed 108,321 bags of planting fertiliser.

More than 1,253,440 bags of top-dressing fertiliser had been distributed. In the distribution of top-dressing fertiliser, Uasin Gishu County is still leading the pack having already redeemed 281,990 bags.

“Trans Nzoia County (276,855), Bungoma County (116,945), Nandi County (73,082), Nakuru County (72,335), Kakamega County (63,166) and have posted impressive numbers in the number of farmers redeeming their e-vouchers,” KNTC Managing Director Pamela Mutua said in a statement.

The government initiative, aimed at making the commodity more accessible and affordable, has been spearheaded by KNTC, NCPB, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and other government agencies.