The Kenyan government has distributed three million bags of fertilizer, targeting seven million farmers, as land preparation begins ahead of the long rains expected in March.
Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr Kipronoh Rono said the consignment is part of the 2026 Long Rains National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme (NFSP), which was flagged off at the Port of Mombasa. He noted that the government plans to distribute a total of 12.3 million bags of fertilizer throughout the year.
Dr Rono said the fertilizer subsidy, which is a key pillar of the government’s agricultural strategy, has capped the price at KSh 2,500 per bag to make the input affordable to all categories of farmers, from subsistence to large-scale producers, to boost household and national food production.
He added that the government has invested heavily in fertiliser acquisition and subsidies, with spending amounting to Sh40 billion since 2022.
“We have made pivotal investments and policies, including aligning seed-producing companies and the National Cereals and Produce Board to ease the burden of production on farmers,” said Dr Rono.]
The PS assured farmers that the quality of the fertilizer would not be compromised, noting that key agencies, including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), are involved in certifying the product before distribution. He added that the current batch is tailored to specific regions, crops and soil types, with standards set to ensure maximum benefit to farmers and consumers.
“This fertilizer is of the highest standard and quality. Given the fact that it has been attuned to suit different weather, soil and crops, we expect bumper harvests as the year progresses,” he said.
The State Department of Agriculture, he said, will work with county governments to ensure the fertilizer reaches interior and remote areas that have historically faced logistical challenges.
“County governments will collaborate with the national government and the National Cereals and Produce Board to identify strategic collection points where our farmers from the interior and mashinani areas can access this fertilizer,” added Dr Rono.
