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In readiness for the long rains planting season, the government has started distributing subsidised fertiliser to farmers.

State Department of Agriculture PS Dr Paul Kipronoh Ronoh revealed to journalists the government seeks to distribute the fertiliser in all parts of the country to ensure uninterrupted farming preparation.

Ronoh, who spoke during the flagging off of 7.5 million bags of the key input in separate events in Narok and Bomet, noted that the first consignment targets the five breadbasket counties of Narok, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Kisii, Nyamira and Trans Nzoia.

While assuring that there will be no delayed distribution, the PS said the government has stabilised the cost of food in the country through efficient management of farm input subsidies.

Unchanged price

In Bomet, the PS was accompanied by Narok governor Patrick ole Ntutu and his Bomet counterpart Prof Hillary Barchok alongside a host of local leaders.

“Farmers across the country will from Monday next week be able to purchase fertilisers from various stores around the country,” the PS assured.

To help cut down on long lines at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores, he revealed that certified Agrovets around the country will now be part of the distribution chain.

The PS also revealed that the price of the fertiliser will remain Sh2,500 per 50 kilogramme bag.

The PS also stated that the government will support local production by encouraging the buying of locally-produced commodities before manufacturers turn to imports.
He warned millers against importation of wheat into the country before exhausting local wheat.

Unsold crop

Ronoh made the statement after farmers in Narok complained that up to 125,000 bags of unsold wheat were lying at the local NCPB, holding farmers’ money and making it difficult for farming to thrive.

The PS ordered the Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) to ensure millers adhered to regulatory measures including the requirement to purchase a specified quota of local cereal before being authorised to import.

Sharing the farmers’ agony, governor Ntutu expressed concerns that the government was unable to absorb the small percentage of locally-grown wheat, saying the reluctance continues to kill local production.

Kenya produced about 310 metric tons of wheat in 2023 with Narok contributing 168 metric tons.

During the event the PS officially introduced 210 recruited agri-preneurs who will register farmers for subsidised inputs and create awareness on other programmes.