State distributes subsidized fertiliser to farmers

A bag of fertilizer to cost Sh2,500 under the subsidy programme. [File, Standard]

The government has started distributing subsidized fertilizer to farmers ahead of the long rains planting season.

Speaking in Nairobi, the government spokesperson="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/rift-valley/article/2001468876/subsidised-fertiliser-is-too-costly-trans-nzoia-farmers-tell-state"> Isaac Mwaura said the fertilizer < will be issued to registered farmers at Sh2,500 per bag.

"This distribution began last Saturday with a consignment of 240,000 bags of NPK 23:23:0 being dispatched to NCPB depots and other distribution centers," he said.

He noted that 32,420 bags of fertiliser have been delivered to early planting counties of Narok, Nakuru, Bomet, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira.

Mwaura said that the move aligns with the Kenya Kwanza administration's broader strategy of lowering the cost of living, generating employment, and earning foreign exchange through agricultural exports.

He said that the 6.4 million farmers registered under the Kenya Management Information System (KIAMIS), are able to access the subsidized fertilizer through the e-voucher system.

The farmers can redeem voucher messages at National Cereal and Produce Board depots and last-mile distribution centers

"To make the fertilizers even more accessible to ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001469444/government-starts-distribution-of-subsidized-fertilizer">hustlers in the villages<, 15,890 Agro-dealers and 7,115 stockists have been registered and are in the process of being on boarded to participate in the distribution of fertilizer to registered farmers," he said.

Mwaura said that the government is procuring fertilizer varieties valued at approximately Sh28.2 billion.

This includes two million bags of NPK 23:23:0, 2.5 million bags of assorted NPK-based soil and crop-specific blends for planting, and an additional 2.5 million bags for top dressing, totaling to 7 million bags.

Further, he said that Agricultural Finance Corporation has been allocated Sh10 billion in the Medium-Term Budget period in line with the president directive.

"This will ensure that Kenyan farmers access affordable loans, which are seven percent cheaper than the commercial loans further having a positive impact on the economy by lowering the cost of living, creating more jobs and earning us foreign exchange through export of agricultural produce," he said.