Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has flagged off a consignment of 426,000 bags of DAP fertilizer for farmers across Kenya after the National Treasury availed the Sh3.55 billion fertilizer subsidy programme as directed by President William Ruto.
The fertiliser is set to be distributed across the country.
While addressing a press conference at the Harambee House Annex office in Nairobi prior to the flagging off, Gachagua said they have honoured promise on fertiliser subsidy kitty adding.
In total, about 1.4 million bags of 50kg fertiliser will be distributed to farmers across the country ahead of the planting season from short rains expected in October.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of economic and industrial development particularly in food production, income generation and production of raw materials for manufacturing. The government remains committed to achieving sustainable agricultural growth and transforming agriculture from subsistence to commercially and globally competitive industry,” Gachagua said.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Francis Owino said all the fertiliser will be picked form the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots.
Ruto, during his inauguration speech ordered that the price of fertiliser be reduced from Sh6,500 to Sh3,500 per 50kg bag.
As a result of the subsidy, a 50kg bag of DAP will now cost Sh3,500, CAN Sh2,875, NPK Sh3,275, MOP Sh1,775, UREA Sh3,500, and sulphate of ammonia will cost Sh2,220.
Gachagua said that the Kenya Kwanza administration had prioritised raising agricultural production through the provision of affordable and readily available inputs as an intervention from the very beginning.
He urged farmers to take advantage of their local NCPB Depots and Sub-depots in the areas where the shipments will be delivered.
“I appeal to farmers in the regions that are receiving the short rains to reach out to local NCPB depots and sub-depots to access the required fertilizer,” Ruto stated.
According to Ruto, fertilizer has been singled out for rapid intervention since it might have a significant, immediate, and long-lasting impact on agricultural productivity.
Additionally, Ruto reassured farmers across the nation that the government was aware of all of their fertilizer needs for the prolonged rainy season expected in 2023.