Kenyan farmers have collectively saved over Sh2.7 billion, thanks to generous fertiliser donations from Algeria and Russia, the government has announced. The support comes under the ongoing subsidised farm input programme, which aims to cushion farmers from the impact of rising global fertiliser prices.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, addressing the media on Saturday, revealed that the Algerian government donated 16,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, which was locally processed into 561,000 bags of top-dressing fertiliser. This alone saved farmers Sh729 million.
“In partnership with Algeria, we produced 561,000 bags of top-dressing fertiliser, saving farmers Sh729 million,” said Mwaura, highlighting the strategic bilateral collaboration that facilitated local production and distribution.
The Russian government also played a pivotal role, donating 33,835 tonnes of fertiliser raw materials during the Russia-Africa Summit held in August 2023. These raw materials, which included Murate of Potash, Urea 46%N, and NPK 27:6:6:2S, were unsuitable for direct use and had to be blended locally to suit different crop requirements.
“Russia’s contribution saved the country approximately Sh2 billion,” Mwaura explained. “The raw materials were used to produce two million 50-kg bags of fertiliser for tea, coffee, maize, and other crops, which have since been subsidised.”
The clarification comes in response to recent allegations made by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who claimed that the donated inputs were sold to farmers at inflated prices. He alleged that private firms repackaged the donations and resold them to the government at market rates for massive profits.
However, the government dismissed these claims, affirming that the donations were in raw form and required granulation and blending before reaching farmers. Mwaura stressed that this process was essential to ensure the fertilisers met the specific needs of various agricultural value chains.
The fertiliser initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to enhance food security, reduce input costs, and boost productivity across Kenya’s agricultural sector.
