President Ruto Releases Sh2,500 Fertiliser to Farmers
President William Ruto disclosed on Wednesday disclosed a reduction in the price of fertiliser from Sh3,500 to Sh2,500 per 50kg bag.
The move aims to modernise agriculture and lower the high cost of living in the country. Announcing the launch of the second phase of the subsidised fertiliser programme, the Head of State encouraged farmers to increase their use of fertilisers to enhance productivity. The Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda recognises that the county's poor economic performance is mainly due to the underperformance of agriculture, making it necessary for the government to help boost production.
“Since fertiliser is the game changer of agricultural productivity, this should translate to higher production in the next planting season. I encourage farmers to embrace better and greater use of fertiliser to increase yields in the coming seasons,” the president said during a press briefing at State House Nairobi.
The President was flanked by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, and other officials. The Kenya Kwanza leaders urged farmers to benefit from the reduced fertiliser prices by doubling their use per hectare to increase agricultural production. The Head of State also announced the commencement of the second phase of the countrywide digital farmer registration exercise which will expand the reach of fertiliser to farmers.
Ruto lauded the delivery of 50kg bags in millions as a successful partnership between the government and farmers. As part of a national initiative, Ruto said the government will be obtaining 100 dryers to be distributed to various National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPD) depots throughout the country. This will benefit maize farmers who can access the dryers at affordable subsidized rates. He further stated that the government has also used technology to eliminate middlemen in the distribution of inputs enabling farmers to register increased profits.