Small-scale farmers in the tea sector are set to be supplied with cheap fertilizers. This is in line with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) plan to help farmers increase their yields in the country.
The Agency went into an Sh3.5 billion financing deal with Standard Chartered Bank for the purchase of 95,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer.
Yesterday, a vessel carrying 50,500 metric tonnes of fertilizer docked at the port of Mombasa. According to the General Manager of Cjai Trading Company, based in Mombasa, Simon Gikang’ a said the prices of 50 kg bag of fertilizer are yet to be set.
“The prices will be known after computation of purchase and transport costs to the distribution centers,” said Mr Gikang’a.
KTDA is yet to start the distribution of the fertilizer which received yesterday from Novorski, Russia as it is still stored in their godowns.
“The remaining consignment is expected in the country in the next two weeks,” said Dr Gikang’a
Previously, the Agency sold their 50 kg bag to farmers at Sh1,774 whereas, the local market sold the product at Sh2,700.
Tea remains to be a significant cash crop grown in the country and one of the leading primary foreign exchange earners. A boost in its production means a steady growth of our economy and hence the need for its production push.
Jacquiline
Joseph
simon