The first recipients of President William Ruto’s Ksh 3.55 billion fertilizer subsidy program will be farmers in areas where brief rains are anticipated starting in October.
Following the President’s directive, the funds have been made available according to Dr. Francis Owino, principal secretary for crop development and agricultural research at the Ministry of Agriculture. The funds will be used to subsidize fertilizer estimated to cover 1.4 million acres during the planting season.
Dr. Ruto issued one of his first orders as Kenya’s fifth president on Tuesday, ordering that 1.4 million bags of fertilizer be made available to farmers throughout the nation at a maximum subsidized cost of Ksh 3,500 per 50Kg bag, down from the prior Ksh 6,500.
“To ensure efficient delivery and effective control mechanisms are in place, the fertilizer will be availed through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots and sub-depots countrywide effective 19th September 2022. Individual farmers will be entitled to a maximum of 100 x 50kg bags of fertilizer,” said Dr Francis Owino.
The new administration’s approach is anticipated to boost food production and consequently aid in stabilizing food prices, which have risen recently as a result of the inflation rate reaching 8.5pc in August.
The Agriculture Ministry predicts a 50% increase in crop productivity if the fertilizer is used effectively.
“The Ministry appeals to farmers requiring fertilizer in the short rains dependent areas to vist the nearest NCPB depot or sub-depot to access the subsidized fertilizer,” Mr. Owino stated.
