The government has stated that it will provide Kshs. 3.55 billion in subsidies to farmers to help offset the high price of fertilizer at the moment.
Francis Owino, principal secretary for agriculture, said in a statement on Tuesday that the action is in line with President William Ruto’s order that the government develop interventions to lower the cost of fertilizers for farmers and increase crop output.
In contrast to the present price of up to KES 6,500, President Ruto ordered that 1.4 million bags of fertilizer be made available to farmers at a maximum subsidized price of KES 3,500 per 50Kg bag.
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.
