Kagwe expresses confidence in meeting rising fertilizer demand

Amid the rising demand for fertilizer in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that 200 trucks carrying subsidized fertilizer have been dispatched to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores around the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 31, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe stated that approximately 180,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer are being distributed daily across the country as they arrive at the stores.

He also noted that additional shipments of fertilizer are currently being transported by sea to the port of Mombasa to ensure a steady supply.

The ministry further revealed that 5.9 million crop farmers have registered under the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) to access the subsidized fertilizer program.

"The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development acknowledges and appreciates the overwhelming enthusiasm demonstrated by farmers in accessing subsidized fertilizer through our National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores and registered last-mile outlets across the country," he said.

Kagwe expressed confidence in overcoming this demand, seeing it as a positive indication of farmers’ enthusiasm.

According to Kagwe, the country is on track for a record-breaking harvest this year due to the high uptake of fertilizer.

He called on farmers and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to implement strategies that will help prevent post-harvest losses, given the anticipated surplus in the upcoming harvesting season.

Additionally, the CS encouraged farmers to make use of Aflasafe, a product designed to reduce aflatoxin contamination in crops like maize and groundnuts.

This product is available at distribution and sales points managed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).