State begins distributing 400,000 tonnes of assorted fertiliser

Farmers have been given a boost after the government flagged off the first consignment of 400,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertiliser from the Export Trading Group (ETG) warehouse in Bonje, Mombasa county on Saturday.

Some of the counties to benefit from the fertiliser include Nyamira, Kisii, Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, and Narok, among others, which are in the planting season.

Flagging off the fertilisers in Mombasa, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Ronoh said they will be sold at Sh2,500 per 50kg bag.

“This is anticipated to reach the farmers in good time, who are currently planting during this extended rainy season," PS Ronoh said.

At the same time, about four million farmers across the country will be distributed together with the assorted fertilisers through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

Speaking following the flagging off of 45 trucks loaded with fertiliser, the PS declared that for the extended rainy season, the government will purchase about 7.5 million bags of fertiliser for farmers throughout the nation.

To bring the fertiliser closer to locals, farmers will have access to it through NCPB, agro-dealers, agro-vets and other locations chosen in cooperation with county governments.

“This arrangement will not only enhance food security but also boost the morale of farmers," Ronoh stated.

Bountiful harvest

The government hopes to harvest 63 million sacks of corn this year. As of right now, the government's database has 6.4 million farmers.

Farmers have been urged to register with the e-voucher system by dialling *616*3# to gain access to the fertilisers.

Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh at the Export Trading Group (ETG) warehouse in Bonje in Mombasa on January 27, 2024. (Photo: Agriculture Ministry)

"Considering the structure of our soil, which has become slightly acidic over time, the government has tested these fertilisers to ensure that they meet the right quality standards," the PS stated.

According to PS Ronoh, plans have been established to employ the consignment model to give the subsidised fertiliser programme to the private sector, specifically the agro-dealers.

"To make sure that they have access to these fertilisers and distribute them to the farmers, we have registered close to 16,000 agro-dealers who are collaborating with major manufacturers like ETG," he said.

According to PS Ronoh, the government will give out roughly 200,000 metric tonnes of extra fertiliser to farmers who want to sow during the brief rains.

The 14 food chains which include rice, coffee, pyrethrum, potatoes, maize, and others are the focus of the programme in the 14 counties where farmers are currently planning to sow their crops.

Earlier this week, the government received fertiliser donations from the Algerian government.

The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mithika Linturi said the kind gesture by the Algerian Government has seen Kenya receive 16,000 metric tonnes of urea fertiliser.

“The fertiliser consignment from Algeria will greatly supplement our efforts in increasing agricultural production and productivity through affordable inputs to farmers as we strive to reduce food prices,” he said.

CS Linturi said the Government has prioritised some value chains through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) that it believes will be most effective in realising food security, reducing food imports and increasing exports.