The deputy president ,Rigathi Gachagua has flagged off fertilizer subsidy programme destined to various parts of the country.
This is a fulfilment to the promise the president made during his inauguration ceremony. The fertilizers will be available in the National Cereals And Produce Board across the country .
This is an intervention set to help reduce the price of fertilizer that has doubled leading to high food prices and high cost of living .This programme has reduced the price of fertilizer per 50kg by 2,500 ksh from the current market price . DAP will be retailing at ksh .3,500 from ksh 6,025 ,CAN at ksh 2,875 from ksh 5,400 , Urea at ksh 3, 500 from ksh 7,675 , NPK at ksh 3,275 from ksh 5,800 and Sulphate of Ammonia at ksh 2,220 from ksh 4,745 .
To set the implementation rolling ,the Deputy President said that the National Treasury has already availed ksh .3.55billion which through the National Cereals and Produce Board 1.4M bags of 50 kg of fertilizers will be available to the farmers during the ongoing short rain seasons .
Gachagua stated that agriculture remains the backbone of the economy of Kenya and industrial development particularly in food production , income generation and provision of raw materials for manufacturing .
He said that the government is prioritizing agriculture as one of the pillars to the country’s economic recovery plan and that they are focused in increasing agricultural productivity that will lead to increased supply and eventually food prices .
He added that the prevailing drought in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) has aggravated food situation in the country increasing demand that cannot be sustained by local production leading to food imports .
Meanwhile the Deputy President expressed that the government has already started consultations with key actors and stakeholders to ensure quality , affordable and accessible fertilizer will be available to all farmers .
By June Jepkemoi