The Ministry of Agriculture has said that the government has dispatched 200 trucks of subsidised fertiliser to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores, following the accelerating demand for subsidized fertilizer in the country. In a statement on Monday, March 31, the CS confirmed that 180,000 bags of subsidised fertiliser are being absorbed daily across the country upon arrival in the stores. Kagwe has further said that additional metric tonnes of fertilizer are en route to the port of Mombasa by sea to replenish the country's supply of subsidized fertilizer. According to the ministry, 5.9 million crop farmers have registered with the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) to benefit from the subsidized fertilizer programme.
An image of an NCPB employee handling fertiliser in a warehouse in 2021.
File "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. "Currently, over 180,000 bags of fertilizer are being absorbed daily upon arrival-an encouraging and happier problem to face, a challenge I welcome and am ready to overcome.
It also reflects the success of the government's initiative in supporting agricultural productivity," he added. This year, according to Kagwe, the country is expected to experience a 'historic' bumper harvest following the high demand for fertilizer. Kagwe has urged farmers across the country and NCPB to take measures to ensure they avert post-harvest losses following the expected high yields in the next harvesting season. The CS has urged farmers to take advantage of Aflasafe, a product used to control aflatoxin contamination in crops such as maize and groundnut, which they can access through Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization's (KALRO )distribution and sales points. On the other hand, the CS has directed the NCPB to begin preparation for the drying and storage of staple crops, mainly maize and wheat. 'In preparation for the expected increase in yields, I direct the NCPB to immediately begin preparations for the drying and storage of key staple crops, mainly maize and wheat, to minimize post-harvest losses," he said. "Farmers are also encouraged to take advantage of Aflasafe, a product used to control aflatoxin contamination in crops such as maize and groundnut.
