Kenya government has disbursed three million bags of fertiliser to seven million farmers countrywide as farmers start preparing land ahead of long rains that start in March. 

Principal Secretary for Agriculture Kipronoh Ronoh made the announcement while flagging off a consignment dubbed 2026 Long Rains National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme (NFSP) at the Port of Mombasa. Dr Ronoh said that the government intends to distribute 12.3 million bags throughout the year.

Rono said the fertiliser subsidy, a key agriculture pillar for the government, has capped the price at Ksh2,500 ($20) per bag to ensure every farmer from subsistence to large scale farmers can afford the fertiliser consequently increasing yields for homes and the country at large. 

The principal secretary alluded to the heavy investment the government has made in fertiliser acquisition and subsidy totalling to Ksh40 billion ($310 million) since 2022.

“We have made pivotal investments and policies including aligning seed producing companies and the National Serial and Produce Board to ease the burden of production on farmers,” Rono said.

He also assured farmers of the uncompromised quality of the fertiliser with key agencies including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) taking the lead to certify the product before it reaches the farms. Rono noted that to that effect, this batch is region, crop and soil specific, quality standards that have been set to ensure maximum value for both the farmers and the end consumers.

“This fertilizer is of the highest standard and quality given the fact that it has been attuned to suit different weather, soil and crops, we expect bumper harvests as the year progresses,” the principal secretary said.

According to him, the state department will collaborate with the county governments in each region to help get the fertiliser to farmers in far-flung areas that have traditionally missed out due to logistical issues.

“County governments will collaborate with the national government and the National Cereals and Produce Board to identify strategic collection points where our farmers at the grassroots can access the fertiliser,” the principal secretary pledged.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Andrew Hinga