The sale of government-subsidized fertilizers is commission by CS Munya.

As the planting season begins, maize farmers across the country can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the national government’s official launch of subsidized fertilizers.

Mr Peter Munya, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS), presided over the official sale of subsidized fertilizers at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Kitale stores in Trans Nzoia County on Monday morning.

Addressing farmers at the Kitale NCPB depot, Munya stated that the government would do everything possible through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives to ensure farmers were fully engaged in many agricultural activities in order to improve the country’s food security.

“This is in addition to ensuring our farmers reap maximum benefits from agricultural activities by protecting them from high production costs,” said the CS.

The government has reduced fertilizer prices by nearly half, with Munya encouraging maize farmers, particularly those in the North Rift and western regions, to increase acreage under crop.

The CS announced that farmers would buy DAP fertilizer at a government-subsidized price of Sh2,800 per bag, rather than the retail market price of Sh6,000.