The government, through the ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Fisheries and Cooperatives, has set aside Sh5.7 billion to subsidise 114,000MT (2,280,000 x 50kg bags) for farmers growing food crops.

The CS Agriculture announced the government’s move on Friday and said the fertilisers will be available at the National Cereals and Produce Board facilities (NCPB) countrywide on Saturday for efficient delivery.

“The Government has set aside KES 5.734 Billion to subsidize 114,000MT (2,280,000 x 50kg bags) for farmers growing food crops,” Munya said.

The government cited reasons for the rise in fertiliser prices, among them being fertiliser producing countries restricting exports to protect their farmers, the Covid-19 pandemic, extreme weather conditions, drastic hike in fuel prices in Europe and closure of production factories.

“The rise in fertilizer prices is due to producer countries such as China, Russia and Turkey restricting exports to protect their farmers compounded by heavy consumption demand from India, Brazil and USA buying up large quantities, hence reducing available global supplies,” the ministry said.

Read More

  1. Kenya suspends avocado, macadamia exports to curb immature harvests
  2. NCBA inspires 100 SME customers with market exposure trip to China - PHOTOS
  3. HMD Skyline series launches in Kenya, bringing innovation to affordable tech

“Further, due to extreme winter conditions, gas prices drastically increased in Europe causing many urea and nitrate production factories to close due to competition between heating homes and producing fertilizers thus causing shortage of these critical fertilizers.”

The government has stepped in to cushion farmers from the high prices of fertilisers to support them in their farming and ensure there is food security in the country.

“It is with this background that the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, sees the need to expand our fertilizer subsidies to farmers for their food crops production towards assured food security in the country,” the CS said.

The government hopes that the quantities for the amount will enable farmers to cultivate about 1.13 million acres.

The following is the revised price of fertilisers according to CS Munya: