The government has launched nationwide distribution of subsidised fertilizer, with an ambitious target of issuing 12 million bags of the product to farmers.

According to Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh, 7.5 million bags will be issued for the long rains and five million for the short rains.

The PS said from January to February, the government will distribute the subsidised fertiliser sold for Sh2,500 per 50kg bag in Narok, Bomet, Nyamira and Kisii counties.

From March to May, the programme will target North Rift counties including Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru.

“From May to June, we have scheduled to distribute fertiliser to the Central region counties of Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Meru and the rest. In October, we will target counties in the semi-arid areas including Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit and areas of Turkana,” he said.

”Currently, we have about 1,000 lorries on the roads ferrying fertiliser to be distributed to farmers across the country. For the last two weeks, we have managed to distribute 150,000 bags of fertiliser and we intend to clear distribution within the next one-and-half months of 2.5 million bags across the country,” the PS added.