State To Import 6-Million Fertilizer Bags Ahead Of Rainy Season

Kenya plans to import an additional 6-million bags of fertilizer ahead of the long rainy season of March 2023. President Ruto said his government will import varieties of fertilizers such as DAP, NPK, among others.

President Ruto said extra fertilizers will help bridge a 10-million maize deficit gap that the country is currently grappling amid food insecurity.

“We have also made arrangements to make another 6 million bags of various types of fertilizer available for the long rains season, we have also asked county governments to work with us on last-mile delivery to centres close to farmers,” the President said during his Mashujaa Day celebration speech.

Last month, the treasury set aside Ksh3.6 billion for the fertilizer subsidy programme amid the President’s intervention where he ordered the price be cut by a half.

Expecting high demand, Agriculture Ministry capped the number of bags a farmer can get at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NVPB) at 100.

Under the programme, farmers were expected to pay Ksh3,500 for a 50-kilogram from Ksh6,500.

“Our government’s first intervention to address the fertilizer challenge and make it available to counties and regions that plant in the short rain season, was to import 1.5 million 50kg bags and distribute them at a lower cost of Ksh3,500,” President Ruto added.

Kenya’s fertilizer market has been impacted by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, which are among the world’s biggest producers as well as depreciation of local currency.

“But in the medium term, the government plans to have fertilizer manufactured in partnership with EAC countries in our region.”