NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 6 – The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Ltd has imported 56,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer on behalf of small-scale tea farmers across the country.
The NPK 26:5:5 chemically compounded fertilizer was procured from Azomures SA of Romania at a cost of $366.45 per tonnes, bringing the total cost to $20.5 million (Sh1.5 billion).
The first consignment of 30,000 metric tones arrived at the Port of Mombasa last week and distribution to registered small-scale tea farmers across the country is underway.
KTDA Head of Field Services Jackson Mugambi said the second consignment amounting to 26,000 metric tonnes was still in the high seas and was expected to dock at the port of Mombasa before the end of August.
“We have made adequate arrangements to get the fertiliser to the farmers in time for the short rains,” said Mr Mugambi.
KTDA Head of Procurement Samson Miencha said the cost to the individual farmer will be calculated once the port charges, cost of warehousing and transport to the respective factories, as well as insurance, are factored.
KTDA procures fertilizer in bulk on behalf of its 562,000 tea farmers through competitive international bidding and distributes it through their respective factory companies.
The arrangement enables farmers to access high quality fertiliser at the best global price in a timely fashion.
The farmers pay for their share of fertiliser on a monthly basis through a check-off system over a period of 12 months from their monthly payments for green leaf deliveries.
