State distributing over 1m bags of subsidised fertiliser to ease shortages in high producing counties

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said that so far, at least 2.6 million bags have been distributed.

by BY MATHEWS NDANYI

News24 March 2025 - 15:47

In Summary

The farmers asked the government to ensure the fertiliser is disttibuted at buying centres in rural areas.
Agriculture CS further warned farmers against falling prey to conmen taking advantage of the demand for fertiliser.

The government is distributing over 1 million bags of subsidised fertiliser to ease shortages which had delayed planting especially in high producing counties in Rift Valley.

Agriculture PS Kiprono Rono is visting NCPB depots in Kitale, Moi’s Bridge and Eldoret to inspect distribution ot the fertiliser.

Lorries ferrying the consignment are queueing to deliver the fertiliser at the depots same as thousands of farmers line up to buy the commodity.

“We are happy that the government has made good its pledge to deliver the fertiliser, which we need to go back to the farms for planting,” a farmers' representative, Jackson Kibet, said.

The farmers have, however, asked the government to ensure the fertiliser is disttibuted at buying centres in rural areas.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had asked the government to immediately avail the fertilieer, failing which the situation would directly affect maize production this year.

David Kiberenge, a representative of small-scale farmers, asked the NCPB to ensure farners do not queue for long hours at the depots.

Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe had assured farmers that distribution of subsidised fertiliser would resume from Monday, March 24.

In a statement, Kagwe said the ministry had noted instances where farmers could not access the fertiliser at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores despite receiving the e-vouchers.

He said the government has at least 1 million bags of fertiliser ready for issuance.

“We are aware that farmers who visited NCPB depots could not redeem their e-voucher messages to access subsidised fertiliser because of the logistical challenges to avail the farm input," the CS said.

Kagwe said that so far, at least 2.6 million bags have been distributed for planting ahead of the long rain season.

He also assured farmers that his ministry is working hard to ensure all farmers plant within the recommended time because the supply of fertiliser is sufficient.

The CS added that the government has asked contracted suppliers through the NCPB to increase the supply of fertiliser.

“To fast track delivery, we are now using train wagons which have already departed the Mombasa port and are set to arrive at the Naivasha Inland port by Sunday morning. Further to boost our supplies, an additional 1,380 metric tons are enroute to the Mombasa port," he said.

"The spirit of our farmers should remain high by coming out in numbers to redeem their e-voucher messages occasioned by the onset of the rains which could have caused panic among those who would not want to be late to plant their crops."

Kagwe insisted that Kenyan farmers remain government’s priority.

The Agriculture CS further warned farmers against falling prey to conmen taking advantage of the demand for fertiliser.

He said the anti-counterfeit agency is on high alert and farmers should only get their fertiliser from the NCPB branches countrywide.

“We would also like to urge our farmers to beware of criminals taking advantage of the high demand of the farm input by illegally selling fake or substandard fertiliser,” Kagwe said.

Farmers are encouraged to only purchase fertilisers from registered distributors and NCPB.

This as the anti-counterfeit agency said it had seized more than 250 bags of fake fertiliser and arrested two suspects in the Rift Valley region.