Prime Minister Abiy Engages with Regional Representatives in EthiopiaNakuru County Expands Access to Subsidized Fertilizer for Farmers
ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a meeting today with representatives from the Somali, Afar, Harari, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz regions, and Dire Dawa city. The discussions, as posted by Abiy on his social media, covered a wide range of topics, including development, peace, and security.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, This meeting is part of a series of engagements the Prime Minister has had with representatives from various regions across Ethiopia. Previously, Abiy Ahmed conducted discussions with representatives from all zones of the Amhara and Oromia regions to address critical issues facing those areas.
NAKURU, Kenya – In an effort to ease the burden on local farmers, the Nakuru County government has announced the opening of additional stores to distribute subsidized fertilizer, thereby reducing transportation costs and time spent in queues. The initiative aims to support farmers more efficiently as they prepare for the upcoming planting season.
According to Kenya News Agency, Leornard Bor, during an event at the Rongai Social Hall, the Department of Agriculture has operationalized seven new stores across Tinet, Kabazi, Keringet, Kiptororo, Subukia, Kiambogo, and Rongai wards. This expansion supplements the existing six National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots involved in the fertilizer distribution effort, reflecting the county’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity.
The move is part of a broader national strategy under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to tackle the economic challenges facing Kenya, with a particular focus on food security. By reducing the reliance on expensive food imports, which currently stand at US$ 500 million, the government aims to decrease this cost by US$ 200 million through support to small-scale farmers with subsidized fertilizers.
This initiative aligns with the historical context of food insecurity challenges in Africa since the 1960s and the subsequent political commitment made by African heads of state in 2003. Under the Maputo Declaration, countries pledged to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture as part of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), with the goal of eradicating hunger and poverty across the continent.
Bor highlighted the subsidized fertilizer as a testament to the government’s dedication to fulfilling the Maputo Declaration by increasing resources for food production. He also pointed to the positive impact of the program in the Rongai sub-county, where the use of subsidized fertilizer has contributed to bumper harvests of beans, maize, and potatoes.
In addition to providing subsidized fertilizer, Bor urged farmers to purchase certified seeds from government-authorized sellers to avoid the risk of counterfeit products, emphasizing the importance of using quality inputs for improved agricultural outcomes.
The Nakuru County’s initiative to broaden access to subsidized fertilizer reflects a significant step towards achieving food security and economic stability for local farmers, aligning with national and continental agricultural development goals.