Relief for farmers as Govt rolls out Sh 5.7b fertilizer subsidy

The government has announced a Sh 5.73 billion fertilizer subsidy to cushion farmers against high prices of the commodity.

In a press statement on Friday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said DAP fertilizer will now cost Sh2,800 with a similar bag of NPK costing  Sh3,000, MOP will go for Sh2,500, C.A.N. will cost Sh1,950, UREA will cost Sh2,700 and Sulphate of Ammonia, will cost Sh2,500 respectively.

DAP is currently retailing at Sh 6,000.

He explained that the facility will subsidize 2.28 million 50-kilogram bags of fertilizer for farmers growing food crops.

"The Government has set aside Sh5.734 billion to subsidise 2.28 million 50-kg bags of fertilizer for farmers growing food crops. These quantities will support the cultivation of 1.13 million acres,” he said in the press statement.

“To ensure efficient delivery and control mechanisms are in place, the fertilizers will be available at NCPB stores countrywide effective tomorrow (Saturday, April 2). These government agencies will sell the fertilizers at agreed subsidised prices to stabilise the prices of critical fertilizers to the Kenyan farmer,” said Munya.

The Agriculture CS said the Russia-Ukraine war, hoarding, rising gas prices and extreme weather conditions have pushed up fertilizer prices in the global market, prompting the government’s intervention.

A bag of 50 kg of DAP fertilizer was retailing at Sh 3,200 in April 2021, with CS Munya citing the sharp rise in price to the current market trends.