KENYA – Kenya is expected to witness an increase in maize production this year, driven by the national government’s continued support through its fertilizer subsidy program.
Speaking at Lulu Farm in Trans Nzoia County, Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, highlighted the success of the program, noting that maize seed growers contracted by the Kenya Seed Company have more than doubled their productivity compared to last year.
The fertilizer subsidy program, introduced two years ago, has distributed over 25 million bags of crop- and region-specific fertilizers to 15 million farmers across Kenya.
According to Dr. Rono, this initiative, aimed at reducing the cost burden on farmers, has already shown promising results and is expected to reduce Kenya’s reliance on maize imports significantly, potentially bringing the food import bill down to zero
Specifically, he revealed that maize seed production has jumped from 27 million kilograms in the previous season to 70 million kilograms this year.
“This increased productivity can be attributed to several factors, but one which stands out is the government’s fertiliser subsidy programme,” said the PS.
Dr. Ronoh urged farmers to fully embrace government agricultural support programmes, especially fertiliser subsidies, which he said will help them maximise productivity.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the national government has distributed 100 mobile driers across the country to help minimise post-harvest losses.
He stated that Trans Nzoia County had received 15 of the distributed driers, and the government intends to supply 230 smaller driers.
“May I give an assurance to farmers who have harvested excess maize and may find challenges to market their produce that the national government has put in place strategies to procure excess of their produce,” he said.
The PS, who earlier visited the Kenya Seed Driers Complex at Kitale, stated that the government has put in place strategies to ensure enough maize seeds are readily available to farmers for planting next year.
He assured that only certified seeds will be on the market, explaining that loopholes which may have been used by brokers to supply fake maize seeds and other farm implements have been closed.
“We have enough certified-quality maize seeds for long and short seasons. Certified seeds for long rains will be distributed early in November for the next planting season. We have put in place teams to inspect the quality of fertilisers and conduct distribution exercises to ensure farmers get quality and timely service,” said Dr. Ronoh.
Highlighting the challenge of maize crop theft facing both Kenya Seed and Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) farms, the PS revealed that, with the help of the national administration, strategies have been put in place to mitigate the vice warning that those who will be found culpable will be prosecuted.
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