Eldoret fertilizer factory to start production in August

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago (left) and Akira Wada of Toyota Tsusho East Africa on a tour of the fertilizer factory in Eldoret on May 16, 2016. The factory will start operations in August. PHOTO | GERALD BWISA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Toyota Tsusho East Africa is building a multimillion-shilling fertilizer blending plant in Ngeria.
  • Governor Mandago said the soil-specific fertilizer would help to solve the soil-acidity menace.
  • He also said there will be no distribution delays since the factory is close to the farmers.

A new fertilizer factory in Eldoret will start operations in August, the investor has said.

“We are glad to announce that the plant is fast nearing completion.

"We are currently finishing with the structures," said Akira Wada, Toyota Tsusho East Africa Chief Executive Officer, as he took Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago on a tour of the factory.

“The factory will have a big impact in the country’s breadbasket because farmers will be able to purchase planting fertilizer at much cheaper prices,” Governor Mandago said.

Japanese car manufacturing firm Toyota, through its Tsusho East Africa branch, is building the multimillion-shilling fertilizer-blending plant in Ngeria, Uasin Gishu County.

Mr Akira also disclosed that the production equipment arrived at the Mombasa port from South Africa on Thursday last week.

Governor Mandago, who is the Council of Governors’ Agriculture Committee vice-chairman, said the soil-specific fertilizer will help to solve the soil-acidity menace, which is blamed for the fall in maize production in the North Rift from about 14 million bags in 2013 to 11 million bags in 2014.

He also said there would be no distribution delays since the factory is close to the farmers.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will commission the start of production at the Baraka NPK fertilizer in July.