Vihiga county: Farmers in Vihiga County have commended the government for the timely distribution of subsidized fertilizer at affordable prices as the short rain season planting begins.
According to Kenya News Agency, a spot check at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Chavakali has shown that farmers are accessing the commodity with ease. The Chavakali NCPB Depot Manager, Abdallah Ngari, stated that the depot has an adequate stock for the short rains season, which runs from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.
Ngari reported that as of September 10, 2026, the depot had received 22,800 bags of fertilizer, comprised of 9,600 bags of planting fertilizer and 13,250 bags of top-dressing fertilizer. Furthermore, they are expecting to receive urea fertilizer next week for top-dressing sugarcane and Napier grass. The full capacity of the depot is 135,000 bags of 50 kg fertilizer, ready for distribution to the farmers of Vihiga County.
During the long rains season, the depot sold 19,631 bags of fertilizer, including 15,583 bags of planting fertilizer and 4,068 bags of top-dressing fertilizer. Ngari emphasized that the government is offering the subsidized fertilizer at Sh 2,000 per 50 kg bag, a substantial reduction from the market price, where Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) retails at Sh 6,700 and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) at Sh 4,950 per 50 kg bag.
To facilitate access for farmers, the Chavakali NCPB has established distribution centers at Esirabe Primary School in Emuhaya Sub County and Mulukhoro in Luanda Sub County. Farmers interviewed at these distribution centers expressed their satisfaction with the government’s initiative.
Brian Ndege, a farmer from Luanda Sub-County, expressed gratitude for the subsidized fertilizer, highlighting its affordability compared to market prices. ‘The fertilizer is cheaper at Sh 2,000. We are grateful, and this will increase food production in our farms,’ said Ndege.
Similarly, Beatrice Vugutsa, a farmer from Emuhaya Sub County, shared her happiness about the initiative, noting that access to affordable fertilizer closer to their homes will save them transport costs and time previously spent traveling to Chavakali.
