Kenyan farmers depend on the use of fertilizers for good production. Unfortunately, the increasing fertilizer prices in the world threaten food security in Kenya given that only half of the counties in Kenya are considered suitable for agricultural production.
According to fertilizer retail prices data released by the Kenya Agricultural Market Information System (KAMIS) for the first week of November 2021, it is shocking how prices have continued to increase. Data from 19 counties in five regions show that prices for the commonly used fertilizers; Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), Nitrogen phosphorus and potassium (NPK), and Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) continues to increase.
CAN, according to data, is retailing at an average price of Ksh. 67 per kilogram. DAP with an average retailing price of Ksh. 88 per kilogram and NPK at an average price of Ksh. 81 per kilogram. This price means a bag of 50 kilograms of CAN, DAP, and NPK is retailing at an average price of Ksh 3,350. , Ksh 4,400. and Ksh. 4,050 respectively.
Prices at various regions
In the western region, a kilogram of CAN is retailing at an average price of Ksh.67, a kilogram of DAP at an average price of Ksh. 82 and NPK at Ksh. 77 per kilogram.
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A kilogram of CAN, DAP, and NPK in the Nyanza region is retailing at Ksh. 65, Ksh.85, and Ksh. 82 respectively. Farmers in the Eastern region of Kenya are buying a kilogram of CAN, DAP, and NPK at an average price of Ksh 75, Ksh 112, and Ksh.89, respectively.
In the rift valley region, a kilogram of is retailing at an average price of Ksh. 70, DAP Ksh 97, and NPK Ksh. 81 per kilogram, respectively. CAN retail at an average Ksh 65, DAP Ksh 93, and NPK Ksh 82 per kilogram, respectively.
From the data fertilizer is more expensive in the Eastern region, followed by Nyanza and Rift valley regions while it seems cheap in the Western and Central regions of Kenya.
The variance in prices is brought by changes in demand among regions, availability, and incentives by county governments.
Farmers hope that the county government intervenes and provides incentives to cushion them against the increasing cost of production.
