Kenya receives 16,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser from Algeria

The Ministry of Agriculture has received a consignment of 16,000 tonnes of fertiliser donation from the Algeria.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said the donation is timely and in line with the country’s cropping calendar. 

Farmers in the bread basket region of Rift Valley will start planting for the long rains from mid February to March.

“Fertiliser is a critical element in ensuring that productivity of the prioritised crop value chains is achieved,” Linturi said. 

He spoke when he received the donation at the grain bulk handling limited facilities at the Port of Mombasa.

Linturi said the country requires 900,000 tonnes of assorted fertiliser to adequately produce food.

“The government, through my ministry, is committed to ensure that smallholder farmers continue to access subsidised fertiliser in order to cushion them against the high cost of production,” he said.

The CS said in the 2023-2024 financial year, the ministry plans to acquire 630,000 tonnes of fertiliser. Fifty per cent of this is basal and 50 per cent is topdressing fertilisers.

"It is envisaged that the farmers who will access these fertilisers will be able to double their production to improve food security and nutrition,” he said.

By November last year, the government had distributed four million bags of subsidised fertiliser through the National Cereals and Produce Board.

The government initiated the subsidy fertiliser programme was started in 2022 to support food production.

Initially, farmers purchased the subsidised fertiliser at the reduced cost of Sh3,500, which was later reduced to Sh2,500.

The CS said in order to serve farmers better, the government has mapped and registered 6.4 million farmers alongside value chain actors such as agro- inputs dealers, aggregators, processors, extension service providers, marketing centres, transporters, among others.

“This information is critical and will help us link our farmers to key service providers through digitised platforms such as E-extension and other E-services," Linturi said.

"I urge upcoming farmers and the sector players to continually get mapped and registered through our Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System to help us plan and ensure better service delivery."

“As we promote the use of fertilisers to boost productivity, we should additionally strive to keep our soils healthy. We are aware that soil acidity due to inherent soil factors such as fertiliser acidification and lack of corrective liming has suppressed yields in many parts of the country,” he said.

Linturi said the Ministry has come up with an Agricultural Soil Management Policy 2023 that provides a framework for planning and implementing agricultural soil management programmes.

“It is therefore important that all stakeholders embrace the recommendations that are contained in this policy towards ensuring effective soil quality management for improved agricultural productivity,” he said.

The CS said the consignment will supplement government’s efforts to increase agricultural production and productivity, through affordable inputs to farmers and ensure low food prices in Kenya.  

Linturi said the government is committed to pursue policies that ensure affordability of agricultural inputs.

He urged partners in the sector to work closely with the ministry to address challenges that hinder productivity.

“With the 2024 long rains and consequently the planting season approaching, I urge the sector players both at the national and county level to provide appropriate guidelines, information and demonstrations to increase farmer awareness and develop efficient inputs distribution networks to accelerate better application of fertilisers and lime products,” Linturi said.