Mithika Linturi Flags Off 900,000 Bags Of Subsidised Fertiliser, Each To Cost KSh 2500

• CS for Agriculture Mithika Linturi flagged off 45,000 tonnes of fertiliser at the port of Mombasa, which will be accessed at KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag
• Linturi pointed out that the cost of fertilisers had progressively decreased from KSh 6,500 to KSh 3,500 and now stands at an affordable KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag
• Linturi also said the government has a plan to make seven million bags of fertiliser accessible to farmers in the year 2024,

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, leverages more than three years of expertise in financial, business, and technology research, providing insights into both Kenyan and global economic trends.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has officially released a consignment of subsidised fertiliser for tea farmers at the port of Mombasa.

The consignment of 45,000 tonnes or 900,000 bags is expected to provide crucial support to smallholder tea farmers nationwide.

According to the CS, the subsidised fertiliser to be accessed at Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) tea buying centres will retail at KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag.

Linturi also conveyed the government's plan to make 7 million bags of subsidised fertiliser accessible to farmers in 2024, emphasising the government's commitment to bolstering the agricultural sector.

"Plans are underway to ensure that a total of 7 million bags of fertiliser are availed during the long and short-rain seasons of 2024. This will cut across priority value chains as defined in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)," said Linturi on X.

Reduction of fertiliser prices

Linturi pointed out that the cost of fertilisers has progressively decreased from KSh 6,500 to KSh 3,500 and now stands at an affordable KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag in line with the government's objective to lower the cost of inputs, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of local farmers.

“The government has prioritised provision of fertiliser to ensure that farmers can competitively produce crops, sustain agricultural production and productivity; and contribute to management of the cost of living,” Linturi explained as reported by Capital News.

Fertiliser subsidy to continue against World Bank recommendation

Earlier on TUKO.co.ke, Mithika Linturi, announced that the government, under President William Ruto's leadership, is set to continue with the distribution of subsidised fertilisers across the country despite contrary recommendations from a World Bank report.

The World Bank report advocated a strategic shift away from input subsidies as part of efforts to eliminate government interference in the market and emphasised investments in crucial infrastructure, research, and development.

"Shift away from input subsidies to farmers and towards removing market distortions, investing in key infrastructure, and research and development," read the report.