NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced a further reduction in the price of subsidised fertiliser to Sh2,000 and a 50 per cent cut in seed prices as the Government seeks to cushion farmers from drought-related losses.
Speaking at the Agriculture and Food Security Transformation Summit at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Ruto said the measures were intended to lower production costs and ease the financial burden on farmers preparing for the new planting season.
“We have lowered the price of fertiliser further for this season, further to Sh2,000,” Ruto said.
He said the decision followed concerns raised by farmers affected by drought and difficult weather conditions.
Seed Prices Cut By 50 Per Cent
Ruto said the Government had also halved the price of seeds to make farm inputs more affordable.
“In fact, we have reduced the price of mbegu by 50 per cent. Ile ilikuwa inauzwa shilingi mia tatu, sasa tumesema iuzwe 150. The difference tutalipa kama serikali,” he said.
Ruto said the measures would help farmers recover from drought-related losses while enabling them to continue producing food at lower costs.
Government Expands Fertiliser Subsidy
The President said the Government had significantly increased the volume of subsidised fertiliser reaching farmers since he took office.
He said four million bags were distributed in 2022, with the subsidy reducing the price from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500.
“This year, we have distributed 11.18 million bags,” the President said.
He added that more than 38 million bags had reached farmers through an e-voucher system intended to eliminate middlemen from the distribution of subsidised fertiliser.
According to Ruto, reducing the cost of farm inputs is part of the Government’s broader strategy to increase agricultural productivity and improve farmers’ incomes.
Focus On Lowering Production Costs
Ruto said the Government’s Economic Transformation Agenda had prioritised measures to make farming more affordable and productive.
“Under the Economic Transformation Agenda, we committed ourselves to lowering production costs, raising productivity, and improving farmer incomes,” he said.
He added that the Government was also working to expand irrigation, strengthen agricultural markets and increase value addition across farming value chains.
Ruto said the administration had opted to support production rather than consumption, arguing that cheaper farm inputs would enable farmers to increase output and improve their earnings.
The latest reductions in fertiliser and seed prices come as farmers prepare for the planting season amid concerns over the impact of adverse weather on agricultural production.
The Government hopes the lower input costs will help farmers maintain production despite the financial pressure caused by poor weather and rising farming expenses.
