President William Ruto of Kenya has announcced a reduction in price of fertilizers from Sh3,500 to Sh2,500 per 50kg bag to empower the agricultural sector and curtail the high cost of living.
During a press briefing at State House Nairobi on Wednesday August 2, 2023, the President inaugurated the second phase of the subsidised fertilizer program and encouraged farmers to intensify the use of this resource to increase yield.
This initiative reflects the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda’s recognition of agriculture’s critical role in the country’s economic prosperity.
For the upcoming short rains, the government has initiated the distribution of fertilizers to farmers nationwide, aiming to deliver two million 50kg bags at the reduced price.
Concurrently, the second phase of the countrywide digital farmer registration is being launched to expand the delivery of fertilizers.
President Ruto also emphasized the successful partnership between the government and farmers, revealing plans to obtain 100 dryers to mitigate post-harvest losses, particularly with the approaching El Nino rains.
The President affirmed the government’s success in eliminating middlemen in input distribution through ICT, which has boosted the earnings of farmers.