Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has flagged off the first consignments of the Sh3.55 billion subsidised fertiliser to farmers across the country.
Gachagua stated that the government will provide 1.4 million bags of fertilizer to farmers across the country.
“Our first pronouncement was to lower fertiliser prices to set the pace for the implementation of this intervention dubbed the fertiliser subsidy programme. The National Treasury has already availed KSh 3.55 billion towards this intervention. Many will benefit from this,” he said.
This follows President William Ruto’s directive that fertiliser be sold for Sh3,500 per 50Kg bag, down from Sh6,500.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 20, Agriculture Principal Secretary Francis Owino said the subsidised fertiliser will first be available in counties that are planting during the short rains.
According to the PS, a 50kg bag of DAP fertiliser will cost Sh3,500, CAN will cost Sh2,875, urea will cost Sh3,500, NPK will cost Sh3,275, MOP will cost Sh1,775 and ammonia sulphate will cost Sh2,220.
“To ensure efficient delivery and effective control mechanisms are in place, the fertilisers will be availed through the National Cereals and Produce Board [NCPB] depots and sub-depots country-wide, effective September 19, 2022.
“Individual farmers will be entitled to a maximum of 100 bags of 50kgs,” said the PS.
According to Owino, the subsidized fertilizer will help cultivate about 1.4 million acres of land.
The first consignment of fertilizer was flagged off by the DP on Thursday at Harambee House Annex.
