Fertilizer costs subsidized to almost half

The launch of Subsidized fertilizers has begun across the country as the rainy season draws closer.

Agriculture CS Mr Peter Munya oversaw the process at the National Cereals and Produce Board, Kitale, Tras Nzoia.

Munya spoke to farmers in Kitale and said that the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives will work to ensure farmers are engaged in all agricultural activities to ensure the country’s food security in the coming seasons.

“We are ensuring our farmers reap maximum benefits from agricultural activities by reducing costs of production,” said the CS.

Additionally, the fertilizer subsidy means the cost of fertilizer is now almost half of what it was. Furthermore, the CS urged farmers, especially those in the North Rift to use this subsidy to increase acreage of land under crop.

The new price of DAP fertilizer is Sh2,800 instead of the previous retail market price of Sh6,000.

He further stated that under the proposed subsidized prices, farmers will get per 50kg of fertilizer varieties including CAN at Sh1, 950, UREA at Sh2700, NPK at Sh3000, MOP at Sh2500, Sulphate of Ammonia at Sh2500.

Covid-19 and its post effects were major reasons for the spike in Fertilizer prices.  Furthermore, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine saw the price of commodities increase over the past few months.

The increase in buying of fertilizer led to competition in shipping and in turn resulting in increase for bulk cargo costs.