Kenya Ramps Up Fertilizer Distribution to Boost Agricultural Productivity

Nairobi: The Kenyan government is distributing over 180,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer daily to farmers in high-production counties as the long rainy season approaches, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced. 

The surge in demand has been attributed to increased awareness of the fertilizer subsidy program, which has already registered over 5.9 million farmers on the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System. 

"This is an encouraging and welcome challenge that I am ready to face and overcome. It also reflects the success of the government's initiative in supporting agricultural productivity," Kagwe stated. 

To meet the rising demand, the government has mobilized over 200 trucks to distribute fertilizer to various National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores, ensuring a steady supply. Additional metric tonnes of fertilizer are also in transit via sea routes to sustain availability. 

Kagwe reassured farmers of the government's commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector, enhancing food security, and promoting economic growth. He urged farmers to purchase fertilizers only from registered distributors and NCPB outlets to avoid counterfeit products. 

The collaboration between national and county governments has played a vital role in scaling up the subsidy program over the past two years, providing farmers with access to affordable farm inputs. 

Under the subsidy program, the price of a 50-kilogram bag of fertilizer has been reduced from approximately Sh 6,500 to Sh 2,500, significantly lowering farmers' financial burden and encouraging higher productivity in the sector. 

The government continues to emphasize its commitment to supporting farmers, ensuring resilience in agriculture, and strengthening food security across the nation.

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