Govt Releases 1 Million Bags of Fertilizer as Kenya Sees Record Demand

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced that the government has released over one million bags of fertilizer. 

In a statement released on March 22, 2025, the CS said all the logistical challenges have been addressed and that farmers will receive bags of fertilizer from Monday 24 ,2025, to match the high demand.

“I assure farmers that we are working overnight to ensure they will all plant within the recommended time because the supply of fertilizer is sufficient,” the statement read.

Mutahi Kagwe Addresses High Demand for Fertilizer

According to CS Kagwe, the consignment is expected to arrive at the Naivasha inland port by Sunday morning, departing from Mombasa port using train wagons.

The Agriculture CS said the government has ordered an additional 1,380 metric tons of fertilizer amid concerns over shortage.

According to the statement, the ministry contracted suppliers through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to increase the supply of farm inputs.

“We would be happy to keep addressing any kind of concerns that are valid and interventions will be in place to address the issues as they arise,” read the statement.

Also Read: Mutahi Kagwe Orders Destruction of 27,000 Bags of Expired Fertilizer Countrywide

NCPB Asks for Govt Intervention

The Ministry added that NCPB stores have been full since December 2024 with 2.6 million bags.  However, farmers recently have not accessed subsidized fertilizers due to a rise in demand.

“We are also aware that for the last two days, farmers who visited NCPB depots could not redeem their e-voucher messages to access subsidized fertilizer because of the logistical challenges to avail the farm input,” the statement read.

The ministry encouraged farmers to come out in large numbers after the arrival of the fertilizer to redeem their e-voucher messages, especially with the onset of the rains.

Also Read: Mutahi Kagwe Declaration of Water Buffalo as Food Raises Critical Questions

Shortage of Fertilizer

The ministry noted that it has historically seen high demand for subsidized fertilizer by crop farmers registered on the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) for the long rainy season.

According to the statement, this will translate to a bumper harvest which will boost food security in the nation reducing the need to import.

Further, the CS warned farmers of criminals taking advantage of the high demand for farm input by illegally selling fake or substandard fertilizer.

Farmers are encouraged to only purchase fertilizers from registered distributors and NCPB.

There are efforts in place by the Anti-counterfeit authority to crack down on criminals taking advantage of farmers.

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