State procures 6m bags of subsidised fertiliser as long rains season starts

The government has procured more than five million bags of fertiliser in preparation for the long rains planting season.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono said the ministry has purchased 5.9 million bags of fertiliser to support farmers.

In a phone interview with The Star, PS Rono said more than two million bags have already been distributed to over 179 National Cereals and Produce Board depots and cooperatives.

These distributions are mainly focused on counties which are currently in the planting phase, including Bomet, Narok, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma and parts of Kericho and Nakuru.

“We encourage farmers to take advantage of the rains which have already begun to start planting,” Rono said.

PS said the ministry is collaborating with county governments to open additional last-mile stores to further support farmers.

This initiative aims to improve access to fertilisers and other essential farm inputs such as seeds.

Titus Maiyo, spokesperson for the National Cereals and Produce Board, urged farmers with e-voucher messages to collect their fertilisers at the nearest depot.

He assured farmers that the process would be quick and efficient and there is sufficient fertiliser to meet the demand.

“We continue to receive more fertiliser stocks from suppliers and as farmers pick up their orders, the stocks are being replenished. This will continue until the end of the long rains season,” Maiyo said.

“These stocks are specifically for planting and include various types of fertilisers.”

David Gikungu, director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, said rainfall expected in the western part of the country is likely to boost agricultural and livestock production, enhancing food availability and improving nutrition.

He said there will be sufficient water for agricultural activities, which could reduce agricultural and agro-resource conflicts.

Gikungu warned that certain areas in the western region could experience soil erosion, nutrient leaching and degradation due to floods, which may negatively affect crop and pasture growth.

He also cautioned that high humidity combined with warmer temperatures could lead to pest and disease outbreaks, impacting crops and livestock.

“Pre- and post-harvest losses could also occur in the Western and there may be an increase in weed growth, which could drive up production costs,” Gikungu said.

He also warned of potential livestock disease outbreaks in parts of the Central and Central Rift Valley, Eastern, Northeastern and coastal regions. 

Gikungu said livestock body conditions could worsen due to insufficient pasture and long distances to watering points, leading to reduced agricultural production and higher livestock fatalities, particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.

“There could be reduced agricultural production in areas expected to receive below-average rainfall, as well as an increase in agriculture-related conflicts,” he said.

Met urged the Ministry of Agriculture to adopt livestock offtake strategies as key mitigation measures.

Gikungu said there is need for disease prevention and control through routine surveillance.