KENYA : It's good news for tea farmers in the country following the release of Ksh 2 billion for the fertiliser subsidy programme by the government.

The development comes as a relief to farmers who have been complaining over the high cost of fertiliser after the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) announced Sh 3,400 per 50-kilo bag due to delayed government subsidy.

This, according to KTDA National Chair Enos Njeru, means that farmers could continue buying the commodity at the government-recommended price of Sh2,500 per bag.

Njeru said the incentive was meant to cushion farmers from the high cost of fertiliser to make tea farming a profitable venture.

Consequently, Njeru announced that they would be refunding money deducted to farmers above the recommended price in January alongside the monthly payment of green leaf to be delivered in the month of December.

He said after they are through with the supply of fertiliser by the end of this month, which they procured early this year, they would reconcile the accounts to determine what each farmer will receive back.

“We will ensure the fertiliser suspense money will be refunded on January 5 together with December green leaf delivery,” he said.

In related news, The government has implemented the Sugar Act 2024, assented by President William Ruto on November 1, 2024, with its commencement date set for November 21, 2024.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Andrew Karanja said that the Act provides for the development, regulation, and promotion of the sugar industry.

“The Act establishes the Kenya Sugar Board and the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute, and I have appointed Acting Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) for both institutions,” explained the CS.

Dr. Karanja said that the Kenya Sugar Board will now regulate and manage the sugar industry. Previously, these functions were being handled by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

He highlighted that the Kenya Sugar Research and Training Institute will take over the sugar research functions previously managed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KARLO).

“The Act provides that persons who were members of staff of the former Kenya Sugar Board before the commencement of the AFA Act 2013, currently serving the Authority, and those in the AFA Sugar Directorate shall transition to become staff members of the Board,” said Dr. Karanja.

He added that the Act also provides for representation of growers and private and public-owned sugar mills in the Kenya Sugar Board.

"The Ministry, in consultation with the county governments and other stakeholders, will develop procedures for the election of these representatives. I have constituted a Transition Committee to ensure smooth operationalisation of the Act,” said Dr. Karanja.