Ministry of Agriculture Caps Subsidized Fertilizer at 20 Bags Per Farmer

By Jane Muia / Published April 5, 2022 | 11:31 am

KEY POINTS

The Agriculture CS said the move would give farmers access to cheap fertilizers following the high cost of the commodity that hit a high of 7,000 shillings. This will be a boost to both large and small-scale farmers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Under the subsidy program, farmers will purchase 50kg of DAP at 2,800 shillings from 6,000 shillings. Urea will be retailing at 2,700 shillings, CAN 1,950, NPK 3,000, MOP 2500, and Sulphate Ammonia at 2,500 shillings, respectively.

The Ministry of Agriculture increased the number of bags of fertilizer that a farmer can purchase under the subsidy program to 20 to ensure all farmers benefit from the subsidy.

Speaking on Monday at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said the government had agreed to revise the cap from 10 bags to 20 bags for each registered farmer.

“I have directed the capping of subsidized fertilizer be increased to 20 bags up from 10 bags per farmer,” he said.

The CS said the move would give farmers access to cheap fertilizers following the high cost of the commodity that hit a high of 7,000 shillings. This will be a boost to both large and small-scale farmers. He further urged all farmers to register themselves with the NCPB all over the country.

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The intervention by the government comes just a few days after farmers started planting this year’s main crop following the onset of rains.

Munya said the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives, would do everything possible to ensure farmers are fully engaged in many agricultural activities to enhance the country’s food security.

He urged maize farmers, especially those in the western and Rift Valley region, to increase the crop’s acreage during this planting season.

On Friday, the CS announced a 5.7 billion shillings fertilizer subsidy that slashed the initial fertilizers by almost half.

Under the subsidy program, farmers will purchase 50kg of DAP at 2,800 shillings from 6,000 shillings. Urea will be retailing at 2,700 shillings, CAN 1,950, NPK 3,000, MOP 2500, and Sulphate Ammonia at 2,500 shillings, respectively.

The previous prices of Urea, CAN, NPK, MOP, and Sulphate Ammonia were 6,500, 3,900 and 4,900, 3,800, and 3,800 shillings, respectively.

Munya noted the fertilizer prices were affected by recent spikes in the commodity prices as a result of the Covid pandemic, as well as restricted efforts in countries like China, Russia, and Turkey to protect their farmers against reduced global supplies. He also attributed the cause to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.