Govt To Distribute Over 1 Million Bags Of Fertilizer To Farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing fertilizer shortages, assuring farmers that over one million bags of fertilizer will be distributed starting Monday, March 24, 2025.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe said all logistical challenges have been resolved, and new measures have been put in place to speed up distribution.

“To fast-track delivery, we are now using train wagons that have already left the Mombasa port and are expected to arrive at the Naivasha Inland Port by Sunday morning. Additionally, 1,380 metric tons of fertilizer are en route to Mombasa,” Kagwe said.

The CS expressed confidence that the rising demand for fertilizer will lead to higher crop yields, ultimately improving the country’s food security.

Kagwe revealed that National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots have been fully stocked since December 2024, with 2.6 million bags of fertilizer already distributed to farmers.

“The high demand has helped free up space in our depots, allowing suppliers to resume deliveries immediately. By next week, all NCPB stores will be fully replenished,” he assured.

He also acknowledged that some farmers had experienced difficulties redeeming e-voucher messages at NCPB depots in recent days due to logistical delays but emphasized that the issuance of subsidized fertilizer remained stable.

“We urge farmers to redeem their e-voucher messages without panic, as the ongoing rains may have caused fears of planting delays. The ministry remains committed to ensuring timely access to fertilizer,” he added.

CS Kagwe also warned farmers against purchasing fake or substandard fertilizer, noting that some criminals were taking advantage of the high demand.

“Farmers should only buy fertilizer from registered distributors and NCPB depots. We commend the Anti-Counterfeit Authority for cracking down on those selling fake farm inputs,” he stated.

The government has also engaged contracted suppliers through the NCPB to increase the supply of fertilizer, with ongoing interventions in place to resolve any emerging concerns.