Ksh. 3.55 Billion for fertilizer subsidy has been released by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure farmers get the subsidized fertilizer. In a speech made by President William Ruto during his inauguration on 13th September, 2002, he promised that his government would avail affordable fertilizer, good quality seeds and other agricultural inputs to empower producers.
In a statement wrote by the Agriculture Principal Secretary Francis Owino, he echoed that such a move was in line with the directive that President William Ruto had given to ensure farmers get affordable fertilizers to boost crop productivity.
The directive given by the president stated that 1.4 million bags of fertilizers be availed to farmers at a maximum subsidized price of Ksh. 3,500 per 50Kg bag. This is from its price that has been Ksh. 6,500. Such a measure is to ensure there is high agricultural productivity as the fertilizers are key in ensuring the country’s national food and nutrition rises to 100%.
“Access to agricultural fertilizers has in the recent past been threatened by the spikes in fertilizer prices occasioned by global phenomena including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.” Said part of a statement in a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, fisheries and Cooperatives.
The new prices of subsidized fertilizers are as follows: DAP fertilizer to cost Ksh. 3,500, UREA Ksh. 3,500, NPK Ksh. 3,275 Sulphate of Ammonia at 2,220 and MOP at Ksh. 1,775. The fertilizers will be availed to various counties through the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB). This takes effect from 19th September 2022.
