15,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer distributed to Vihiga,Nandi farmers

CONVIVIAN KHASOHA AND MAUREEN IMBAYI-KNA

Hundreds of smallholder farmers in Vihiga and neighbouring Nandi counties are benefiting from the ongoing Presidential Fertilizer Subsidy Programme at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Hamisi Depot in Vihiga County, following a steady supply of planting and top-dressing fertilizers for the short rains cropping season.

NCPB Hamisi Depot Manager Dorothy Awuor Odhiambo said the depot recorded a high turnover during the main long rains season, successfully receiving and distributing more than 15,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer to farmers in the region.

She noted that during the last long rains season, the depot distributed 15,000 bags of planting fertilizer and 10,000 bags of top-dressing fertilizer, underscoring the strong demand for subsidized farm inputs among local farmers.

“The depot opened for the current season on July 1, 2026, with nearly 5,000 bags in stock.

We are stocking various fertilizer blends under the subsidy programme, including MAVUNO planting fertilizer and tea fertilizer formulations,” Odhiambo said.

She added that the top-dressing fertilizers currently available at the depot include tea top-dressing fertilizer, urea and maize top-dressing fertilizer. Odhiambo encouraged farmers to take advantage of the subsidized inputs to boost crop production during the short rains season.

Odhiambo added that farmers have expressed a preference for Mavuno fertilizer due to its effectiveness on maize and beans.

The depot expects to serve over 6,000 farmers from Vihiga, Nandi, and Kisumu counties with the subsidized fertilizer priced at Sh 2,500 per 50-kilogram bag.

Odhiambo explained that with the short rain season having officially commenced on July 1, 2026 the depot opened with an initial inventory of nearly 5,000 bags, supported by continuous truck deliveries to meet rising demand.