Govt to distribute 12.5 million bags of subsidised fertiliser

The government is committed to providing 12.5 million bags of subsidised fertiliser to farmers in all 1,450 wards across the country this year for use during the long and short rain seasons.

The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mithika Linturi, said the subsidised fertiliser would be in the 50-kg bag.

Linturi said in regards to the upcoming Second Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit scheduled for May 7^th to 9^th this year to be hosted by the government in collaboration with the African Union at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, themed ‘Listen to the Land’, that by providing farmers with fertiliser, the government has listened to her land and what the soil needs in various regions.

“We are listening to our land here in Kenya and are very aware that the solution to our soil health challenges is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather listening to what the soil needs in various regions,” stated the CS.

The CS made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, at a Media Breakfast meeting held on Thursday at a Nairobi hotel.

He said the government is working with farmers, agronomists, governments, development partners, civil society, and all stakeholders towards adopting regenerative practices, policies, and approaches that would improve the long-term value of land.

The CS said the Kenyan National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme, which offers fertiliser at half the prices of the commercial rates, has emerged as a pivotal policy in the government’s efforts to expand food production and mitigate soaring food prices.

“With subsidy outlay of Sh3.55 billion, the programme is intended to bolster Kenya’s agricultural sector and help to stabilise food prices,” said Linturi.

Regarding the distribution of subsidised fertiliser across the country, the CS announced that the government has to date distributed a total of 3.6 million bags of 50 kg to farmers for use this year during the long rainy season.

By Bernadette Khaduli