https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230805/kenya-starts-distribution-of-fertilizers-donated-by-russia-1061092083.html
Kenya Starts Distributing Russian-Donated Fertilizers
Kenya Starts Distributing Russian-Donated Fertilizers
Sputnik Africa
In late May, Russian fertilizer producer Uralchem-Uralkali Group announced that 34,000 tonnes of fertilizers for Kenya had arrived at the country’s port of... 05.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-05T14:40+0200
2023-08-05T14:40+0200
2023-08-05T18:24+0200
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Kenya's government has begun processing 34,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizer condensate, which will make 100,000 tonnes of finished product. The finished fertilizer will be distributed in the form of subsidized inputs for farmers, local media has reported. The consignment, delivered by the Russian Uralchem-Uralkali Group, has been customized by Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to produce soil and crop-specific fertilizer. The donated fertilizer became part of the subsidized input, which is sold at Sh 2,500 (about $18) per 50 kg bag. According to the ministry, the distribution of the subsidized fertilizer started this Tuesday ahead of the short rains season, which spans from late October to December. It was noted that due to concerns that some farmers won't be able to access the subsidized commodity because of high transportation costs, Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi directed the National Cereals and Produce Board to open new selling centers closer to people and hire temporary staff to run them. Earlier this week, the Agriculture Ministry announced the drop of subsidized fertilizer prices from Sh 3,500 to Sh 2,500 per 50 kg bag for the short rains, with an ultimate goal to distribute two million bags. The country needs about 650,000 tonnes of fertilizer annually, and authorities launched several initiatives to make inputs available for farmers, including the fertilizer subsidy program. The government has already launched the second phase of the program. According to the ministry, 1.72 million bags of planting fertilizer and 1.3 million bags of top dressing fertilizer were distributed to farmers during the long rains period, which usually lasts from April to late May. The batch of Russian fertilizers arrived in Kenya in May. The donation, which includes potash, urea and NPKS, is part of a series of shipments of fertilizers from EU warehouses and ports to developing countries facing food insecurity. It is the second such shipment, with the first involving delivery of 20,000 tonnes of fertilizers to Malawi in March.In total, the Uralchem-Uralkali Group intends to donate about 300,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizers. This initiative is aimed at addressing an unprecedented global food crisis and preventing significant crop losses in countries affected by drought and other effects of climate change.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230529/over-30000-tonnes-of-russian-fertilizers-arrive-in-kenya-1059572732.html
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east africa, kenya, agriculture, russia-africa cooperation, russia, uralchem-uralkali group, fertilizers, export
Kenya Starts Distributing Russian-Donated Fertilizers
14:40 05.08.2023 (Updated: 18:24 05.08.2023) In late May, Russian fertilizer producer Uralchem-Uralkali Group announced that 34,000 tonnes of fertilizers for Kenya had arrived at the country’s port of Mombasa. The shipment is the second humanitarian delivery of fertilizers stored in European ports and warehouses to developing countries.
Kenya's government has begun processing 34,000 tonnes of
Russian fertilizer condensate, which will make 100,000 tonnes of finished product. The finished fertilizer will be distributed in the form of subsidized inputs for farmers, local media has reported.
The consignment, delivered by the Russian Uralchem-Uralkali Group, has been customized by Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to produce soil and crop-specific fertilizer. The donated fertilizer became part of the subsidized input, which is sold at Sh 2,500 (about $18) per 50 kg bag.
According to the ministry, the distribution of the subsidized fertilizer started this Tuesday ahead of the short rains season, which spans from late October to December. It was noted that due to concerns that some
farmers won't be able to access the subsidized commodity because of high transportation costs, Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi directed the National Cereals and Produce Board to open new selling centers closer to people and hire temporary staff to run them.
"Maize farmers across the country are expecting a bumper harvest following a successful fertilizer distribution by the government," the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier this week, the Agriculture Ministry announced the drop of subsidized fertilizer prices from Sh 3,500 to Sh 2,500 per 50 kg bag for the short rains, with an ultimate goal to distribute two million bags.
The country needs about 650,000 tonnes of
fertilizer annually, and authorities launched several initiatives to make inputs available for farmers, including the fertilizer subsidy program.
The government has already launched the second phase of the program. According to the ministry, 1.72 million bags of planting fertilizer and 1.3 million bags of top dressing fertilizer were distributed to farmers during the long rains period, which usually lasts from April to late May.
"In Kenya, food insecurity is caused by the impacts of climate change characterized by erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged drought leading to low agricultural productivity [...]. Our mitigation measures, including the fertilizer subsidy program coupled with favorable rainy season, have increased production," Linturi said.
President William Ruto earlier stated that the distribution of the subsidized fertilizer is expected to increase maize production from 32 million bags to 44 million bags in 2023, with a target of 60 million bags per year within five years.
The batch of Russian fertilizers
arrived in Kenya in May. The donation, which includes potash, urea and NPKS, is part of a series of shipments of fertilizers from EU warehouses and ports to developing countries facing food insecurity. It is the second such shipment, with the first involving delivery of 20,000 tonnes of fertilizers to Malawi in March.
In total, the Uralchem-Uralkali Group
intends to donate about 300,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizers. This initiative is aimed at addressing an unprecedented global food crisis and preventing significant crop losses in countries affected by drought and other effects of climate change.
