Thousands of smallholder ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/the-standard/article/2001383399/farmers-call-for-implementation-of-maize-taskforce-report">maize farmers< in Eastern counties of Kenya are set to benefit from Sh102 million worth of fertiliser provided by a crop nutrition firm.

Yara East Africa donated 34,000 bags of 50kg cereal to be used by 7,500 farmers Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Meru counties during the short rains season.

The donation is part of an initiative that also supports farmers through training using digital platforms and extension services on good agronomical practices. 

The initiative is dubbed ‘Action Africa - Thriving Farms, Thriving Lives,’ championed by global fertiliser firm, Yara International.

Yara East Africa Senior Commercial Director Vitalis Wafula said the initiative would help alleviate hunger and ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001374356/dejected-farmers-now-selling-green-maize">food security<.

“The Yara fertiliser donation is aimed at providing continuity in the food supply chain by enhancing="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/the-standard/article/2001383399/farmers-call-for-implementation-of-maize-taskforce-report"> maize production< during the short rain season across potential regions,” he said.

“This in turn will boost maize supply in the country to cushion the country against the disruptive effects of Covid-19 on the country’s food security.



Soil health

Yara’s donation of 13,000 metric tonnes of ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001374356/dejected-farmers-now-selling-green-maize">NPK fertiliser maize Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who also chairs the Council of Governors’ Agriculture committee, stressed the importance of providing solutions that will help improve soil health and crop nutrition, resulting in production of quality food.

The initiative will support other counties in a Sh800 million budget.