NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has kicked off the distribution of 7.5 million bags of subsidised fertiliser ahead of the long rains planting season, aiming to boost food production and support farmers in key agricultural regions.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh flagged off the first consignment in events held in Narok and Bomet counties, assuring farmers that the fertiliser would be available countrywide without delays.
The initial phase of distribution prioritizes Kenya’s breadbasket counties, including Narok, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Kisii, Nyamira, and Trans Nzoia. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ronoh emphasized that the fertiliser price remains unchanged at KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag, a measure aimed at stabilizing farm input costs and, in turn, food prices.
“Farmers across the country will be able to purchase fertilisers starting Monday next week at designated National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots and certified Agrovet outlets,” Ronoh said.
He noted that incorporating Agrovets into the distribution chain will reduce congestion at NCPB stores.
During the Bomet event, the PS addressed concerns from Narok wheat farmers, who reported that over 125,000 bags of harvested wheat remain unsold and are currently stored at local NCPB facilities.
This backlog, farmers said, has left them cash-strapped as they prepare for the next planting season.
Responding to the issue, Dr. Ronoh instructed the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) to enforce regulations requiring millers to purchase a quota of locally-produced cereals before turning to imports.
“The government will not allow millers to import wheat while local farmers are struggling to sell their produce,” he said.
Narok Governor Patrick ole Ntutu echoed these sentiments, criticizing the slow absorption of local wheat as detrimental to agricultural sustainability.
“When the government fails to support local farmers, it discourages production and ultimately affects food security,” Ntutu said.
In a move to streamline access to farming inputs, the PS introduced 210 newly recruited “agri-preneurs.”
These individuals will register farmers for subsidised programmes and raise awareness on available government agricultural initiatives.
The subsidised fertiliser programme comes as the government seeks to increase local production, particularly for staple crops, and reduce reliance on costly imports.
Last year, Kenya produced 310,000 metric tonnes of wheat, with Narok alone contributing 168,000 metric tonnes.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh flagged off the first consignment in events held in Narok and Bomet counties, assuring farmers that the fertiliser would be available countrywide without delays.
The initial phase of distribution prioritizes Kenya’s breadbasket counties, including Narok, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Kisii, Nyamira, and Trans Nzoia. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ronoh emphasized that the fertiliser price remains unchanged at KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag, a measure aimed at stabilizing farm input costs and, in turn, food prices.
“Farmers across the country will be able to purchase fertilisers starting Monday next week at designated National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots and certified Agrovet outlets,” Ronoh said.
He noted that incorporating Agrovets into the distribution chain will reduce congestion at NCPB stores.
During the Bomet event, the PS addressed concerns from Narok wheat farmers, who reported that over 125,000 bags of harvested wheat remain unsold and are currently stored at local NCPB facilities.
This backlog, farmers said, has left them cash-strapped as they prepare for the next planting season.
Responding to the issue, Dr. Ronoh instructed the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) to enforce regulations requiring millers to purchase a quota of locally-produced cereals before turning to imports.
“The government will not allow millers to import wheat while local farmers are struggling to sell their produce,” he said.
Narok Governor Patrick ole Ntutu echoed these sentiments, criticizing the slow absorption of local wheat as detrimental to agricultural sustainability.
“When the government fails to support local farmers, it discourages production and ultimately affects food security,” Ntutu said.
In a move to streamline access to farming inputs, the PS introduced 210 newly recruited “agri-preneurs.”
These individuals will register farmers for subsidised programmes and raise awareness on available government agricultural initiatives.
The subsidised fertiliser programme comes as the government seeks to increase local production, particularly for staple crops, and reduce reliance on costly imports.
Last year, Kenya produced 310,000 metric tonnes of wheat, with Narok alone contributing 168,000 metric tonnes.
