president william ruto has announced a further reduction in the cost of fertiliser and maize seeds, in a move aimed at lowering agricultural production costs, supporting farmers affected by drought and strengthening food security across the country.

under the new announcement, a 50-kilogramme bag of subsidised fertiliser will cost sh2,000, down from the previous price of sh2,500. the president also announced that a 2-kilogramme packet of maize seeds will cost sh150 from november 2026, according to his latest remarks on the planned price changes.

the announcement comes as farmers across several agricultural regions continue to deal with the effects of unreliable rainfall, crop losses and the high cost of farm inputs. the government says reducing the price of essential agricultural supplies will help farmers return to their farms, prepare for the next planting season and increase food production.

ruto made the announcement as he continued engaging kenyans on his administration's development and agricultural agenda, with particular attention to the challenges facing farmers and communities that depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods.

government seeks to lower the cost of farming

agriculture remains one of the most important sectors of kenya's economy, providing livelihoods for millions of households and supplying food to both rural and urban populations.

however, the cost of preparing land, purchasing seeds, buying fertiliser and paying for farm labour has continued to place pressure on farmers, particularly small-scale producers who depend on seasonal rainfall.

for many households, the amount of money available at the beginning of a planting season determines the size of land they can cultivate and the quantity of crops they can grow.

the latest announcement is therefore expected to attract attention among farmers who have been seeking affordable agricultural inputs to sustain production.

by reducing the cost of a 50-kilogramme bag of fertiliser from sh2,500 to sh2,000, the government is offering a saving of sh500 per bag to farmers purchasing the subsidised product.

farmers who require several bags for their farms could benefit from greater savings, potentially freeing up money for other agricultural expenses, including seeds, labour, transport and land preparation.

the government has presented the subsidy programme as part of its wider strategy to support agricultural production rather than leaving farmers to shoulder the full cost of essential inputs.

farmers affected by drought to benefit

the reduction in farm input prices comes against the background of difficult weather conditions that have affected agricultural production in several parts of kenya.

some farming areas, particularly in the north rift, have experienced inadequate rainfall that affected crops during critical stages of growth. the resulting losses have left some farmers facing financial difficulties after investing money in land preparation, seeds, fertiliser and labour.

for farmers whose crops failed to mature because of insufficient rainfall, preparing for another planting season can be difficult. many must find additional money to purchase inputs even after losing income from their previous harvest.

the government says reducing the cost of fertiliser and seeds is intended to ease this burden and encourage farmers to resume production.

the intervention could be particularly important for households that rely on maize farming to provide food for their families and generate income through the sale of surplus produce.

nevertheless, the benefits will depend on the availability of the subsidised inputs, access to distribution centres and whether rainfall conditions support successful planting and crop development.

lower prices can make farming more affordable, but farmers also need reliable access to water, timely weather information and practical support to manage the risks associated with changing weather patterns.

maize production remains a priority

maize is one of kenya's most important staple foods and plays a central role in household food consumption, livestock feeding and the wider agricultural economy.

changes in maize production can affect food availability and market prices, making the performance of the farming sector an important concern for households across the country.

when farmers produce sufficient maize, supplies can improve and pressure on the food market may ease. however, poor harvests can reduce the amount of grain available and increase the need for alternative supplies.

the government is therefore seeking to encourage farmers to increase production by making essential inputs more affordable.

the planned reduction in maize seed prices is expected to help farmers who have been struggling to raise enough money to purchase certified seeds before planting.

quality seeds are important because they provide farmers with an opportunity to establish healthy crops when suitable varieties are selected for the local climate and growing conditions.

combined with appropriate fertiliser application and adequate rainfall, good-quality seeds can contribute to improved yields.

however, the outcome will also depend on farming practices, soil conditions, pest management and the timing of planting.

agricultural experts have consistently emphasised the importance of combining affordable inputs with good farming practices to achieve sustainable improvements in crop production.

what the fertiliser price reduction means

the reduction from sh2,500 to sh2,000 represents a saving of sh500 for every 50-kilogramme bag purchased under the subsidised programme.

for a farmer buying five bags, the difference would amount to sh2,500, while someone purchasing ten bags would save sh5,000 compared with the previous subsidised price.

these savings could help farmers meet other costs associated with crop production.

for small-scale farmers working with limited budgets, even a modest reduction in input prices may influence how much land they can prepare and plant.

the government is expected to continue implementing its agricultural subsidy programme through designated distribution channels.

effective implementation will be important in ensuring that the reduced prices reach the intended beneficiaries, including farmers in remote rural areas.

accessibility is a key consideration because the cost of travelling to collect fertiliser can reduce the financial benefits of a subsidy.

farmers may therefore benefit most when subsidised inputs are available in locations close to their homes and farms, reducing transport expenses and time spent travelling to distribution centres.

food security and the cost of living

the announcement also places agricultural policy at the centre of the broader discussion about food security and the cost of living in kenya.

when farmers face high production costs, the financial pressure can affect their decisions on how much to plant and how much fertiliser to apply.

if production declines significantly, the country may face increased pressure on food supplies, particularly when weather conditions affect several major farming regions simultaneously.

reducing input costs is one way the government hopes to encourage local production and strengthen the country's capacity to supply its own food requirements.

increased domestic production could help improve the availability of maize and other agricultural products, although retail prices are also influenced by transportation, storage, milling, market demand and other costs along the supply chain.

this means that cheaper fertiliser alone cannot guarantee an immediate reduction in the price of maize flour or other food products.

the impact will depend on whether farmers can increase their harvests and whether the resulting supplies reach markets efficiently.

the government will also need to monitor the implementation of the subsidy programme to ensure that the financial support translates into meaningful benefits for agricultural producers and consumers.

implementation will be key

while the reduction in fertiliser prices and the planned adjustment in maize seed prices may offer relief, farmers will be watching closely to see how quickly the measures are implemented.

the availability of supplies before planting begins is particularly important because delays can force farmers to plant late or miss favourable weather conditions.

farmers also need clear information about where to obtain the subsidised inputs, the quantities available and the requirements for accessing the programme.

transparent distribution would help ensure that the benefits reach genuine farmers rather than being diverted to traders or individuals who do not qualify for the subsidy.

another important consideration is the long-term sustainability of agricultural support programmes.

while government subsidies can lower costs for farmers, the country also needs continued investment in irrigation, water harvesting, agricultural research, storage facilities and reliable markets for farm produce.

such investments could help farmers manage periods of poor rainfall and reduce losses after harvesting.

expanding access to agricultural credit and strengthening extension services could also help farmers make better decisions about crop selection, fertiliser application and pest control.

these measures would complement the subsidy programme by addressing challenges that extend beyond the cost of farm inputs.

farmers await the impact of the new measures

ruto's announcement has renewed attention on the government's efforts to make farming more affordable and support households that depend on agriculture.

for farmers preparing for the next planting season, the immediate concern will be whether the reduced prices are implemented as announced and whether sufficient supplies are available when they need them.

the planned measures could help ease the financial pressure on farmers, particularly those seeking to recover from crop losses and prepare their land for another season.

however, the overall success of the initiative will ultimately depend on implementation, favourable growing conditions and farmers' ability to access the necessary inputs on time.

as kenya continues to pursue greater food security, the performance of the agricultural sector will remain important to rural livelihoods, food availability and the wider economy.

the government is banking on lower input costs to encourage increased production, while farmers will be looking for practical results that help them recover their investments and sustain their households.

with the announced fertiliser price set at sh2,000 per 50-kilogramme bag and the new maize seed price expected to take effect in november 2026, attention now turns to the rollout of the measures and their impact on the upcoming farming season.