By Confidence Malengwe
Farmers in the North Right region have been at the forefront of purchasing fertilizer under the subsidy program, the latest data has revealed.
According to a report released by Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), Uasin Gishu County takes the lead with 402,366 bags purchased followed by Trans Nzoia which had its farmers buy 240,097 bags.
Nakuru (213,242 bags), Nandi (109,190 bags) and Narok’s 108,321 bags purchased are others that led in the uptake of the commodity.
The report indicates that by June 10, 2023, 3,050,731 bags of fertilizer worth Ksh 10.7 billion had been released to 40 counties.
The program run via e-voucher has seen more than 1.2 million of top dressing fertilizer released to forty counties with Uasin Gishu county still leading, having already secured 281,990 bags.
“Trans Nzoia with 276,855 bags, Bungoma 116,945bags, Nandi 73,082 bags, Nakuru 72,335 bags and Kakamega 63,166 bags have been impressed with the number of farmers redeeming the e-vouchers,” said Pamela Mutua, KNTC Managing Director.
Still available
Mutua also urged farmers across the country to buy the subsidised fertilizer while the stock still lasts for top dressing and in preparation for the coming planting season.
“We are calling on farmers to continue purchasing fertilizer from our depots as it is still available. We still have a total of 736,141 bags in our stores,” said the KNTC Managing Director.
The fertilizer subsidy is a program by the government that is aimed at helping farmers access cheaper fertilizer with the cost having been cut from about Ksh7,000 per 50-kg bag to Ksh3,500.
The program was under President William Ruto’s agenda to reduce the cost of production leading to bumper harvest hence lowering the cost of food prices.
