Fertilizers prices had been soaring high since mid-2021 which was associated with constraints brought by covid-19 and the high cost of fuel. Most fertilizer prices rose by over 50% which farmers could not afford. This was worsened by the scarcity as many dealers choose to hold or feared stocking due to farmers’ purchasing power.
With the start of long rains, it meant that most farmers would reduce the land size to plant while others opted to plant without fertilizers. This meant that Kenya would face a food crisis due to low production in the last quarter of this year. The only option as said in our past article was for the government to intervene with subsidies.
The New Subsidized Fertilizer Prices
However, the Kenyan government on Friday set aside over 5.7 Billion subsidies for fertilizers setting new low prices which most farmers can afford. Even though a section of farmers has already planted, they can use the fertilizer for topdressing therefore maintaining high yields and low costs. According to a statement by the ministry of agriculture, the subsidies are effective immediately and farmers can access these at national cereals and produce board NCPB centres.
According to the ministry, DAP, CAN, UREA, NPK, MOP and Sulfate of Ammonia will have a subsidized price of KES 2,800, KES 1,950, KES 2700, KES 3000, KES 2500, KES 2,500 per 50 kg bag respectively.
What does this mean to farmers’ consumers?
Farmers will now enjoy a low cost of farming. Private fertilizer dears are also expected to lower their prices and release any fertilizers they have been holding to compete with the subsidized fertilizers prices. The ripple effect is that the market prices will generally fall and consumers will enjoy low food prices in a few months to come.
More on planting this season
- Are you busy planting? check out the best maize varieties to plant now!
- How to get high yields in maize farming
- Harvesting 12;90kg Bags Of Maize Quarter an Acre
- 4 simple forgotten factors to lookup when buying seeds
As a farmer, if you can buy in large amounts the better as this will save you costs in future if the subsidies are lifted. For those planting currently; plant without as you wait for the prices to go down and top-dress later in the month to avoid high costs.
