The government has initiated the countrywide distribution of subsidized fertilizer, aiming to provide farmers with an ambitious goal of distributing 12 million bags of the product.
Speaking at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Nakuru County , Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi announced that this year, his ministry will aim to double the number of subsidized fertiliser bags from the previous 6 million distributed in 2023.
He revealed that last year the country produced 80 million bags of maize, up from 60 million bags due to the purchase of subsidised fertiliser by local farmers.
Accompanying the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Paul Rono, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Crop Development, urged farmers to maximize the use of the fertilizer to enhance their crop yields.
“The nationwide distribution of subsidized fertilizer will be fast-tracked as we aim to avail the commodities to farmers ahead of the long rain season,” stated Dr Rono.
In the same event, The CS unveiled five solar-powered mobile grain dryers for farmers at Elburgon, Olenguruone, Subukia, Naivasha, and Nakuru NCPB Depots. He emphasized that the government aims to eliminate post-harvest losses in grain harvests by employing mobile grain dryers to ensure thorough drying before storage.
