Government Reports Low Uptake of Subsidized Fertilizer

The government has reported low uptake of fertilizer days after it began distributing the farm inputs to farmers across the country.

Out of the 4.3 million registered farmers, only 1,431 have accessed the subsidized input. In a statement, Crops Development PS Kello Harsama attributed the low uptake to a lack of awareness.

“Because of little information, some farmers may not be aware that fertilizers have arrived in their store. That is why we have called this presser, to tell Kenyans that fertilizers are now available. We are going to use various media avenues to tell Kenyans that fertilizers are now there,”  Said Harsama.

The agriculture ministry said it is working hard to roll out various programs that will ensure farmers have access to fertilizer and tame the ever-escalating cost of the farm input. It intends to subsidize 500,000 metric tonnes or ten million-50 kg bags of various types of fertilizer for the 2023 long rain season from March this year.

Out of the 10 million-50 kg bags, 6 million bags represent planting fertilizer while the rest is top dressing fertilizer. Maize farmers,  who form the bulk of the registration,  have so far received 287,000 bags of the farm input.

The government has urged the farmers to access the commodity in the National Cereals and Produce depots for planting to ensure enhanced production in the next planting season.

“The basis is that we are addressing the cost of maize production which has a huge impact on the cost of food for Kenyans. So if yields for maize are improved and fertilizer availed to farmers in good time, they will be able to prepare their land to maximum acreage, so that we increase yields, which will eventually address the issue of costs,” said Julius Korir, Principal Secretary for Cabinet Affairs.

Farmers in Narok, Nakuru, Migori, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, have already accessed the input at the discounted price.

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