Farmers in Uasin Gishu County are expected to record increased maize yields this year.
Agriculture County Executive Edward Sawe says the projected increase in production is due to the ongoing fertilizer subsidy program that the national government is implementing.
The program is part of the government’s effort to empower farmers to produce more, in a bid to address the rising cost of basic commodities.
Under the initiative, farmers are accessing fertilizer at a subsidized cost of Ksh3,500 per 50-kilogram bag of maize through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
According to the Uasin Gishu Agriculture Executive, with farmers getting sufficient fertilizer, production is likely to increase.
“Farmers have not been applying the right amount of fertilizer but with the subsidy, we’re working on ensuring each farmer gets at least two bags per acre,” Sawe told Uasin Gishu News.
“We expect to increase average production per acre from 18 bags to at least 25 bags,” he added.
Acreage under maize
It is estimated that at least 300,000 acres of land will be planted maize this year. With an average production of 25 bags, the county is projecting a total production of 7.5 million bags.
Already farmers have started purchasing the subsidized fertilizers ahead of the planting season expected to kick off early in March.
The Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member says so far, over 200,000 bags have been sold.
It is expected that at least 600,000 bags will be purchased by farmers in the county this year.
“So far, we have registered well over 100,000 farmers and as we speak now, farmers have been able to redeem over 200,000 bags of fertilizer,” Sawe said.
Uasin Gishu is among the counties that are considered the country’s food basket, and the anticipated increase in maize production will come as good news to the government’s bid to lower the cost of unga.
