Commodities

Kenya’s first Sh3 billion fertiliser plant to open before year-end

munya

Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Co-operatives Peter Munya. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Kenya’s first fertiliser manufacturing plant is set to open in Nakuru by end of the year, in what is expected to boost farmers’ yields in 2021.

The Sh3 billion NPK Compound Granulation plant will supply 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser, serving up to two million farmers in the country annually.

The plant, constructed by Fertiplant East Africa will employ the latest in steam granulation technology, with operations anchored in soil testing.

“The plant is set for commissioning in December and will be ready to produce tailor-made NPK fertilisers for the 2021 long rains season,” said Fertiplant consultant Eustace Muriuki, who is also Mea Fertilisers managing director.

The plant will produce fertiliser for various soil types and crop specific requirements informed by results from soil tests conducted.

This comes in the wake of increased acidity in soils that has significantly reduced fertility, hence reduced yields for farmers

Agriculture CS Peter Munya said it is time farmers embraced science and technology to boost yields.

“We have to remove guesswork from farming by encouraging soil testing, the production and application of fertiliser guided by the test results,” said Mr Munya when he visited the plant.

Studies show under good management, farms have a production capacity of up to 40 bags per acre of maize, a potential that many Kenyan farmers are currently undershooting by far.

Fertiplant said it will educate farmers on new farming practices including soil testing and soil and plant nutrition.

Construction of the plant started in 2015 and is funded by Oikocredit and NCBA.