Over 10,000 farmers in Kiambu and Murang’a counties are set to receive free fertiliser in an Sh800 million public-private initiative pushed by Yara International.
The company’s East Africa manager, William Ngeno, said that the farmers will receive over 20,000 bags of the fertiliser to boost their farm produce output.
“Today marks the start of a partnership that brings solutions to the farmers working in partnership
with the national, county government and organizations such as the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in knowledge sharing,” said Ngeno.
He said that farmers will also receive digital and on ground knowledge transfer on best agronomical practices.
“”The fertilizer is designed, and has been tried and tested to match the Kenyan soil nutritional needs and they are also applicable and useful to the specific crops that are majorly produced in the country, to ensure safety of the soils,
maximum crop yield as well as healthy crops,” Ngeno said.
Speaking at the launch ceremony on Tuesday, September 22, Kiambu Governor, Dr James Nyoro, praised the initiative, saying farmers are always in need of support to implement sustainaible agricultural practices.
“I would like to encourage farmers to take advantage of this boost they are receiving, and to make sure that they farm diligently, and share the good farming tips with those around them,” Governor Nyoro said.
Yara East Africa said that the initiative worth Sh800 million is set to benefit 22 counties.
The counties are: Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, Homa-Bay, Migori, Nyamira, Narok, Bomet, Trans-Nzoia, Nandi, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Kiambu, Muranga, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Taita-Taveta and Tana-River.
Speaking on behalf of the partners, AGRA head of extension and capacity building, Paul Seward, said that the initiative is set to help farmers overcome the disruption caused by Covid-19 pandemic through farming advice and use of fertilizer.
“Through the Action Africa initiative, we will work to strengthen operational support, manage on-the-ground operations and to provide digital enablement and personalized agronomic advice on the desired production practices across the food production value chain,” said Seward.
