The government has released Sh. 3.5 billion for cheap fertilizer. The funds were released through the National Treasury and the Ministry of Agriculture as a response to the directive that was issued by President William Ruto last week during his inauguration.
“For the short rains, we have already made arrangements to make 1.4 million bags of fertilizers available at Sh. 3,500 for a 50 kg bag – down from Sh. 6,500,” President Ruto announced in his inauguration speech.
The 1.4 million bags have been deployed to the depots of the National Cereals and Produce Board. Under this program, farmers will be entitled to a maximum of 100 bags of 50kg fertilizer.
“To actualize the Presidential directive, the subsided fertilizer program will start with counties undertaking planting during the short rains season of 2022. The government has availed Sh. 3.55 billion to subsidize 71,000 metric tonnes (1.42 million x 50 Kg bags) of fertilizer for growing food crops during the short rains season,” a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture said.
Under this program, UREA has been subsidized to Sh. 3,500, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) will sell at Sh. 3,725. Muriate of potash (MOP) will retail at Sh. 1,775, di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) will go for Sh. 3,500, Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) will retail at Sh. 2,875, while Sulphate of Ammonia will go for Sh. 2,220.
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“The Ministry appeals to farmers requiring fertilizers in the short rains dependent areas to visit the nearest NCPB depot or sub-depot to access the subsidized fertilizer,” the statement said.