List Of New Fertiliser Prices After Ruto Sets Aside Ksh3.5 Billion

President William Ruto's directive on the lowering of the cost of fertiliser, which he made during his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, September 13 has taken effect.

The government set aside Ksh3.55 billion through the National Treasury to implement the directive, which comes as good news to farmers seeking subsidised fertiliser.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced that 1.4 million bags were released to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) on Monday, September 19.

Bags of fertiliser being handled at a port. /FILE

"To actualize the Presidential directive, the subsided fertilizer program will start with counties undertaking planting during the short rains season of 2022. 

"The government has availed Ksh3.55 billion to subsidize 71,000 metric tonnes (1.42 million x 50 Kg bags) of fertilizer for growing food crops during the short rains season," read part of the statement dated Tuesday, September 20.

The 1.4 million bags going for Ksh3,500 per 50Kg bag were deployed to the NCPB depots and sub-depots situated in the country.

Individual farmers will also access a maximum of 100 bags of 50kg fertiliser as the Ministry advised them to take advantage of the short rains on the horizon.

"The Ministry appeals to farmers requiring fertilizers in the short rains dependent areas to visit the nearest NCPB depot or sub-depot to access the subsidized fertiliser," read the statement in parts.

UREA was subsidized to Ksh3,500, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) will sell at Ksh3,725.

Muriate of potash (MOP) will retail at Ksh1,775, di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) will go for Ksh3,500, Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) will retail at Ksh2,875, while Sulphate of Ammonia will go for Ksh2,220.

During his maiden speech, Ruto announced that his administration would prioritise making fertilizer, good-quality seeds and other agricultural inputs affordable and available.

"For the short rainy season, we have already made arrangements to make 1.4 million bags of fertilizer available at Ksh3,500 for a 50kg bag down from the current Ksh 6,500. This will be available from next week.

"I appeal to county governments in Eastern, Central and Western regions, to work with us in making sure that the fertilizer is available to farmers," he addressed.

Additionally, to cushion tea farmers, Ruto's government made arrangements with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to immediately supply tea farmers with fertilizer at Kshs 3,500 down from Kshs 6,500.

"This is our initial intervention, we will be doing more for the medium term and the long term," he added.

President Ruto has insisted that his administration would focus more on production rather than consumption. Since then, he has removed the subsidies that were related to consumption.