Ruto Bags Plum Deal For Production Of Cheap Fertiliser
The matter of cheap fertilisers has been among the top items on the to-do list of President Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government since it took power on Tuesday, September 13.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto's government has entered into an agreement with a multinational firm to fast-track the development of affordable green fertiliser.
Under the pact, Fortescue Future Industries and the Government of Kenya will work together to build a 300-megawatt MW capacity generation green ammonia and green fertiliser facility by 2025.
President Ruto, who witnessed the signing of the agreement on Monday, November 7 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, said the move furthers Kenya’s green energy transition.
“The shift will help reduce our reliance on imports, check the high cost of fertiliser and boost food production,” he said.
President Ruto, CS Alfred Mutua, and Fortescue Future Industries leaders pose for a photo after the signing of an agreement that will see Kenya produce green ammonia and green fertilizer. /STATE HOUSE KENYA
Fortescue Executive Chairman and Founder Dr Andrew Forrest said the partnership will create thousands of new jobs in Kenya.
The matter of cheap fertilisers has been among the top items on the to-do list of President Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government since it took power on Tuesday, September 13.
His mission to lower the cost of fertiliser in the country took effect after the swearing-in ceremony when 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.
"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) sells at Ksh3,725. Muriate of potash (MOP) retails at Ksh1,775, di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) goes for Ksh3,500, Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) retails at Ksh2,875, while Sulphate of Ammonia goes for Ksh2,220.
Bags of fertiliser being handled at a port. /FILE
