The National Treasury has set aside Ksh3.55billion fertilizer subsidy following President William Ruto’s directive, to avail 1.4 million bags to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) on Monday, September 19 through the ministry of agriculture.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 20, the government said it has made Ksh3.55 billion available to subsidize 71,000 metric tonnes (1.42 million x 50 Kg bags) of fertilizer for producing food crops during the short rainy season.
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots and sub-depots in the country received 1.4 million bags of fertilizer at a cost of Ksh3,500 each 50Kg bag from the current Ksh6,500 to combat the high-cost producers in the farming sector incur.
Read: Treasury Denies Counties KSh.16 Billion In Additional Revenue
Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) would sell for Ksh3,725 while UREA was subsided to Ksh3,500. Retail prices for muriate of potash (MOP), di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), and sulphate of ammonia are Ksh1,775, Ksh3,500, Ksh2,875 and Ksh2,220, respectively.
The President maintained during his speech on September 13, 2022, that his administration would prioritize output over consumption. The Ruto-Rigathi administration has since eliminated consumption-related subsidies after announcing the new approach. Among Ruto’s other promises during his inauguration included increasing the Judiciary funds by an additional Ksh3 billion as well as forming a new ministry of Co-operatives and SME development to start creating job opportunities.
Read: Dr William Ruto: My Promise To Kenyans
The rise in fertilizer prices has been attributed to global events like the Covid-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, making access to fertilizer a significant danger for farmers. Recent increases in fertilizer costs have impacted both small- and large-scale farmers, putting the nation’s food and nutrition security in jeopardy and having a knock-on effect on agricultural output.
Email your news TIPS to editor@thesharpdaily.com
