Toyota to Put Up Fertilizer Plant in Eldoret

Plans are underway for the establishment of a $1.2 billion (Sh.122.7 billion) Japanese fertilizer plant in Eldoret that will be producing different types of fertilizers suitable for different soil types in the region.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Moi University and Japanese conglomerate Toyota Tsusho Corporation for soil research on certain distinguished soil types. Toyota settled for Eldoret as the appropriate area for the location of the plant since the North Rift region consumes a lot of fertilizer in Kenya.

Most farmers in the Rift Valley region have been using fertilizers without identifying the ones suitable for their soil. This has always led to low harvests and at times soil distortion. The Toyota fertilizer factory is set to start working in June this year.

Accurate fertilizer recommendations are important because problems can arise from either inadequate or excessive use of fertilizer. Too little fertilizer may result to poor plant growth and low yields while too much fertilizer may lead to reduction of plant growth and quality. Excessive application may also be harmful to the surrounding environment.

Toyota in collaboration with Moi University will recommend the types of fertilizers that farmers in Eldoret will be using for their maize and wheat. This will be based n the types of the soil in a given area. Soil testing that is being carried out will provide information on the availability of nutrients in the soil and the required fertilizer type.

Mr. Dennis Awori, Toyota East African Chairman and Adviser said that they aim to address the issue of soil acidity that has resulted from using wrong types on manures on crops by farmers in the region.

Eldoret County and its surrounding is known for high production of maize and wheat. This is because most farmers are large scale producers. The farmers will also be provided for with modern skills of farming since some still cling to the traditional farming methods.

Kenya largely depends on maize as its stable food thus this will be an advantage the country as a whole. Mr. Awori disclosed that the research on the quality of soil that was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2013 has been compromised by the continuous use of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) by farmers. The research had indicated that almost half of the soil in Kenya is not suitable for the growth of maize.

Article by Vera Shawiza.