The Government has announced a further reduction in the cost of fertilizer and certified maize seed as part of measures to help Kenyan farmers recover from drought-related losses and return to production.

Under the new intervention, farmers will now purchase a 50-kilogram bag of subsidized fertilizer for KSh 2,000, down from the previous price of KSh 2,500.

The Government will also cover 50 percent of the cost of certified maize seed, reducing the farmer’s price from KSh 300 to KSh 150 per kilogramme.

This means farmers will pay KSh 300 for a 2kg pack of maize seed instead of KSh 600. A 10kg pack will cost KSh 1,500, down from KSh 3,000, while a 25kg pack will cost KSh 3,750 instead of KSh 7,500.

The maize seed subsidy is expected to cover approximately 40 million kilogrammes of certified maize seed, representing an estimated Government subsidy of KSh 6 billion.

Farmers will access the subsidized fertilizer and maize seed through Government-designated distribution channels.

Fertilizer Prices Cut by More Than 73 Percent Since 2022

The latest reduction builds on the Government’s fertilizer subsidy programme introduced to lower the cost of agricultural production.

In 2022, a 50kg bag of fertilizer retailed at approximately KSh 7,500. The National Fertilizer Subsidy Programme reduced the price to KSh 2,500, and the Government is now lowering it further to KSh 2,000.

This represents a reduction of more than 73 percent compared with the 2022 price.

Since 2022, approximately 33.55 million 50kg bags of subsidized fertilizer have been distributed to farmers. The programme has reached about 1.98 million farmers, with Government support estimated at approximately KSh 78.79 billion.

Government Links Subsidies to Food Security

The measures are part of President William Ruto’s administration’s broader shift from subsidising consumption to subsidising production.

The approach is aimed at reducing the cost of farm inputs, encouraging farmers to increase production and strengthening Kenya’s food security.

Government figures indicate that agricultural production has increased since 2022. Maize production rose from 34.3 million 90kg bags in 2022 to 73 million bags in 2025, while maize imports declined by more than 66.5 percent over the same period.

The Government says these gains must be protected from the effects of drought.

The latest intervention is therefore intended to ensure that farmers who have lost crops because of drought are not prevented from planting again simply because they cannot afford fertilizer and seed.

Focus Shifts to Recovery and Climate Resilience

Beyond the immediate subsidies, the Government says it will continue supporting farmers affected by drought while working to reduce production costs.

It also plans to invest in irrigation, water harvesting and other climate-smart interventions aimed at strengthening Kenya’s ability to withstand changing weather patterns.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development says the combination of lower input prices and longer-term climate resilience measures is intended to help farmers return to their farms, recover from losses and maintain food production.

For farmers facing the financial pressure of drought, the reduction in fertilizer and maize seed prices provides a lower-cost opportunity to prepare for the next planting season.

The intervention also reflects a broader attempt to make agricultural production more affordable while protecting Kenya’s food security gains.

The announcement was made by Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, on 24 August 2026.