Tea farmers get Sh442m fertiliser subsidy

The Government has disbursed Sh442.31 million fertiliser subsidy to small-scale tea farmers under the management of Kenya Tea Development Agency. This latest incentive is expected to cushion farmers from the high costs of farm inputs.

The tea farmers will receive a Sh321.35 rebate on each bag of fertiliser supplied under the KTDA fertiliser credit scheme. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei launched the subsidy scheme at Kambaa Tea Factory in Kiambu County, where he appealed to tea farmers to diversify their businesses beyond tea.

“Let us not be emotional and threaten to uproot the tea... we have invested so much energy and time. If prices shoot up and you have uprooted your crop, what will you do?” he paused.
He cautioned farmers against over reliance on one income source and advised them to diversify to other income activities.

KTDA Chairman Peter Kanyago commended President Uhuru Kenyatta for making good his promise of assisting farmers. “As KTDA we appreciate the fertiliser subsidy on behalf of the farmers and pledge to continue working with the Government to improve small-scale tea farming in the country,” Kanyago said.