State gets Sh12bn for fertiliser importation

Importing fertiliser is part of a programme by the government and IFAD to increase small-scale farmers' incomes and attain food and nutrition security under the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLCoP).

IFAD is an agency of the UN whose objective is to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.

“The government through the National Treasury has received financing from the IFAD and intends to apply a part of the proceeds of the financing to this purchase,” the Ministry of Agriculture said.

The programme targets at least 110,000 households in 10 counties. It also supports poor livestock farmers and pastoralists.

The counties targeted are Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Marsabit, Samburu, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya, Nakuru and Trans Nzoia.

The funding under KeLCop follows the signing of a $126.8 million (Sh16.3 billion) deal between the government and IFAD in June last year, activating the Integrated Natural Resources Management programme (INReMP) – another eight-year project to support more than two million Kenyans in rural areas manage natural resources and climate-related risks and to increase their food security and incomes.

The government, IFAD, Heifer International and other institutions launched KelCop in March 2021. It is to run until March next year.

Importers of the input will be required to deliver it at the KeLCoP project management and coordination unit in Nakuru by March.

“The material shall consist of organic phosphate fertiliser and shall be in the form of free-flowing crystals, powder or granules,” the documents state.