President William Ruto has announced plans to cut maize seed prices by half from September, in a move aimed at encouraging farmers to plant more food during the expected short rains.
Speaking at a church service at AIC Makutano in Taita Taveta County on Sunday, Ruto said the price of a bag of maize seed would fall from KSh300 to KSh150.
Government targets lower farm input costs
The announcement comes after poor rainfall disrupted crop production in several parts of the country.
President Ruto said the government would also subsidise fertiliser by KSh500 per bag. A bag currently selling for KSh2,500 would therefore cost KSh2,000 under the new subsidy.
“We have decided as the government to reduce the price of maize seeds, and we have also injected public funds to subsidise fertiliser,” “We have decided as the government to reduce the price of maize seeds, and we have also injected public funds to subsidise fertiliser,” President Ruto said.
He urged farmers to take advantage of the expected short rains to increase food production and strengthen the country’s food security.
Farmers face pressure after poor rains
The government has been rolling out measures to support farmers following poor rainfall and concerns over food production.
Earlier this year, the Agriculture Ministry announced subsidised maize seed prices of KSh250 for a 1-kilogramme packet and KSh500 for a 2-kilogramme packet. The latest announcement raises questions about which seed package will be sold at the new KSh150 price.
For farmers, the timing is important. The short rains are expected to provide another opportunity to plant after a difficult season, but the impact of cheaper inputs will depend on whether the subsidised seeds and fertiliser reach farmers on time.
President Ruto announces school funding and teacher recruitment
President Ruto also said KSh18 billion in school capitation had been released ahead of schools reopening.
He criticised political opponents who, he said, were spreading claims that the money had not been disbursed to schools.
On higher education, the President said a proposed university and TVET funding system would allow qualified students to pursue their preferred courses without dropping out because their families could not afford the fees.
More teachers expected next year
The President also said the government had hired 100,000 teachers over the past four years.
He said more than 20,000 additional teachers would be recruited next year to help address staffing gaps and improve the teacher-to-student ratio.
For farmers, however, the immediate concern is likely to be the cost and availability of inputs as the planting season approaches.
The government’s challenge will be ensuring that the promised price reductions are reflected at the point of sale and that farmers can access the subsidised inputs when they need them.
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