Government starts distribution of subsidized fertilizer
National
By
Mate Tongola
| Mar 22, 2023
Farmers in Kisii and Nyamira counties have started receiving subsidised fertiliser through a government subsidy program worth Sh3.7billion.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed says the targeted farmers will now buy a bag of fertilizer at Sh3,500.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, March 22, at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Kisii County, Hussein stated that the 1.1 million kilograms of fertilizer have already been bought and are ready for disbursement.
"This is in line with the Kenya Kwanza agenda of cushioning the farmers against the high cost of fertilizer as well as increased agricultural productivity," Hussein said.
The State House Spokesperson also stressed President William Ruto's commitment to get rid of cartels and brokers in the agricultural sector that he says have crippled local farmers.
"The government has in the last six months managed to register 5 million farmers and the distribution is now being managed digitally. The government is committed to supplying more than 300,000 metric tons of various types of fertilizers during this rainy season," Hussein added.
The program was rolled out on Monday, March 20 in Nyamira and Kisii counties where according to Hussein, over 134,000 farmers had registered.
The government has urged farmers across the country to register at any NCPB store or assistant chief's office near them to access the subsidized fertilizer as it aims to promote accountability and efficiency in the fertilizer distribution.