KTDA receives first batch of cheap fertiliser

Smallscale tea farmers have a reason to smile following the delivery of 50,500 metric tonnes of fertiliser at the port of Mombasa yesterday.

This is the first consignment of the 95,000 metric tonnes that the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) will import this year.

General Manager of Chai Trading Company – a KTDA subsidiary based in Mombasa – Simon Gikang’a said the price of a 50kg bag of fertiliser would be known in a month’s time.

“The prices will be known after computation of purchase and transport costs to the distribution centres,’’ said Mr Gikang’a.

The vessel carrying the fertiliser, MV Lowlands Mimosa, docked at berth number 9 and started discharging the fertiliser that was later bagged at the quayside before being taken to KTDA’s godowns awaiting distribution.

The vessel’s port of origin was Novorski, Russia. KTDA recently announced that it had signed a Sh3.5 billion financing deal with Standard Chartered Bank for the purchase of 95,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to be distributed to farmers across the country.

"The remaining consignment is expected in the country in the next two weeks,’’ said Dr Gikang’a. Last year, KTDA sold a 50kg bag of fertiliser at Sh1,774 compared to the market price of Sh2,700.