Government rolls out 12.5 million subsidised fertiliser bags ahead of long rains

The government has provided 12.5 million bags of subsidised fertiliser to farmers ahead of the long rains planting season, in a move aimed at increasing food production and easing the cost burden on growers. 

Secretary for Administration at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Harun Khator said the fertiliser is already stocked at depots across the country, with more supplies expected once another vessel docks at the port of Mombasa to offload additional consignments. 

Khator said the government had enhanced logistics and last-mile delivery systems to ensure farmers access the input on time. 

He said they have vehicles already on the road providing logistical support to make sure fertiliser reaches all depots and last-mile centres before the planting season begins.

Speaking in Kakamega during the launch of a Sh600 million soil health project covering six counties, Khator noted that in addition to the National Cereals and Produce Board depots, the government has set up 250 last-mile distribution centres nationwide to decongest main stores and bring fertiliser closer to farmers. 

“Challenges experienced in previous seasons were not due to shortages but delays by farmers in collecting the inputs.Our main challenge has not been availability. The depots and last-mile centres are in place, but some farmers wait until the last minute. A few days later, complaints emerge that there is no fertiliser, yet distribution capacity is limited,” he said. 

He urged farmers to pick up fertiliser early to avoid last-minute congestion and maximise crop yields. 

“We closed the short rains season last year and have now opened the long rains season. I am appealing to farmers to take advantage of this window and collect fertiliser in good time,” he said.

 Khator further stated that the government has distributed about 25 million bags of fertiliser under the subsidy programme since 2022, adding that the current long and short rains cycle will account for 12.5 million bags. 

He added that access to the subsidised fertiliser is being managed through the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS), which has registered about 7.2 million farmers so far. 

“Registration is ongoing. Through KIAMIS, the government is able to provide subsidised fertiliser, certified seeds and support livestock vaccination,” he said. 

He called on unregistered farmers to enrol in the system to help the government plan better and deliver farm inputs more efficiently. 

Khator also encouraged young people to take up farming, noting that improved access to inputs and better logistics are meant to make agriculture more attractive and profitable.

 “With these interventions, we are working together to make the country more prosperous, food secure and ultimately achieve food sovereignty, including the ability to export,” he said