Ministry orders maize fertiliser for next season

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei. Speaking when he opened this year's Kabarnet ASK show, Mr Koskei said the country has the potential to use more than 1.2 million metric tonnes of fertiliser but utilises only 550,000 metric tonnes. PHOTO/FILE

By  Wycliff Kipsang

Reporter

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The government has set aside more than Sh3 billion for a fertiliser and seed fund.
  • Last year, the government distributed more than 66,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser to farmers across the country.

The government has ordered for more than 100,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for the 2014 planting season, a Cabinet Secretary has said.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei revealed that the ministry has also dispatched 42,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to farmers for use this season, which is expected to start this month.

Speaking over the weekend when he opened this year's Kabarnet ASK show, Mr Koskei said the country has the potential to use more than 1.2 million metric tonnes of fertiliser but utilises only 550,000 metric tonnes.

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“Farmers should increase their fertiliser uptake to improve maize yields,” said Mr Koskei.

The 2014 order is meant to stop delays in the distribution of fertiliser normally witnessed during the April planting season.

He disclosed that the government has set aside more than Sh3 billion for a fertiliser and seed fund.

These amount will be increased progressively to Sh15 billion in the next five years.

Last year, the government distributed more than 66,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser to farmers across the country.

Cash transfer

“Our prices are also fair. Subsidised DAP fertiliser costs Sh2,500 compared to Sh3,900 in shops.

CAN goes for Sh1,600 per bag compared to Sh2,800.

Take advantage of these incentives and increase production,” said Mr Koskei who was accompanied by ASK chairperson Alice Kalya and Baringo County governor Benjamin Cheboi.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed over Sh190 million in four counties in Coast and Eastern region to empower disadvantaged families.

According to WFP country director Ronald Sibanda, families in Kwale, Kilifi and Taita in Coast and Kitui in Eastern have benefited from the programme, which seeks to fight hunger and empower beneficiaries.

“We now target poor families,” said Mr Banda in a speech read on his behalf by WFP programme officer Philips Ochieng during World Food Day in Webuye.

Mr Koskei, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and Food Agriculture Organisation country boss Robert Allport.

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