President Uhuru Kenyatta when he addressed a public rally at the Kitale Agricultural Showground.[Photo/ PSCU]President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the government will reduce the price of fertiliser from Sh1500 to Sh1200, as part of the Jubilee’s administration plan to boost food production.
Speaking on Friday in Trans Nzoia County, the President said the new prices will become effective in December to allow farmers to buy the product ready for the next planting season.
The price of subsidised seeds will also go down to Sh120.
President Kenyatta also toured the Agricultural Development Centre Modern Semen Centre, which the Government has established at the cost of Sh1 billion.
President Kenyatta said the development of the facility is part of the Government’s plan to boost food production in the area.
“We know that Trans Nzoia and the neighbouring counties are the breadbasket of Kenya. Besides lowering prices of fertiliser the new bull centre will also enable farmers to get AI for their cows to improve breeds to boost milk and meat production,” said the President.
President Kenyatta also announced that his Administration will release Sh200 million to pay the salary arrears of 25,000 employees of ADC farms.
The arrears have accumulated since the year 2000 when the ADC farms experienced financial challenges.
President Kenyatta said the shortage of maize in the country is a result of the drought that affected food production in Trans Nzoia in the previous season.
“We have travelled across Trans Nzoia and we have seen that we expect a bumper harvest this year and we will support you,” said the President.
He announced that maize imports will stop once the current maize crop is harvested.
The President, who led Jubilee campaigns in Trans Nzoia, called on the residents of the county to vote for him as well as all other Jubilee candidates.
He said he leads a team that is determined to change the lives of Kenyans and is not ready to engage in insults with the opposition.