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Kenya Tea Development Agency Management Services (KTDA MS) early this week received the first consignment of 956,000 50 kilogrammes bags of fertiliser at Mombasa.

The NPK 26:5:5 compounded fertilizer procured from Russia is part of 1,854,740 bags the agency will distribute to farmers to apply to their farms for the coming season.

In a statement released yesterday by the agency management, the ship carrying the fertilizer arrived at the Port of Mombasa yesterday carrying 47,800 metric tonnes while the second vessel delivering the balance is expected to dock in November.

The KTDA MS has imported1, 854,740 bags (92,737 metric tonnes) of fertiliser for the year 2023/2024 for distribution to smallholder tea farmers.

“The fertilizer will be bagged at port for onward distribution to farmers via SGR to Nairobi and further to factories. This arrangement allows smooth and efficient delivery to farmers up to the closest tea buying centres. Farmers do not incur extra cost transporting the fertilizer from the factory stores,” KTDA said.

The cost of fertiliser has been negatively impacted by rising cost of natural gas — a key component in the manufacture of NPK chemically compounded fertiliser, unfavourable exchange rates, global supply constraints, high crude oil costs and the cost of shipment among other factors.

Agency management explained that the final cost of a 50kg bag of fertilizer will be determined once clearing and transport cost to respective tea factories across the country as well as marine and overland insurance costs have been factored in.

But prices by private sector are still high compared to the government subsidised fertiliser currently retailing at Sh2,500.

Application of fertiliser on tea bushes at the onset of short rains is necessary to ensure consistent high quality and quantity of green leaf.

KTDA procures fertilizer in bulk for more than 650,000 small scale tea farmers, who are the shareholders of its managed factories, through competitive international bidding.