Subsidised Fertiliser Programme Boosts Maize Yields by 40 Percent in Tinderet

Farmers in Tinderet Sub County have recorded improved agricultural productivity over the past two years following the government’s subsidised fertiliser programme, with both authorities and growers citing higher yields and reduced production costs. The programme, introduced to cushion farmers against high fertiliser prices, has lowered the cost of a 50-kilogramme bag to an average of Sh2,500 at the National Cereals and Produce Board from about Sh3,500 previously.

This price reduction has enabled more farmers to access the input and apply recommended quantities, significantly improving crop performance across the sub-county. According to Tinderet Sub County Agricultural Officer Joseph Kiprono, fertiliser uptake has increased steadily since the rollout of the subsidy.

Maize harvests jump by up to 40 per cent

Statistics from the agriculture department indicate that maize yields in the area have increased by between 30 and 40 percent over the past two seasons. Farmers who previously harvested an average of 12 to 15 bags per acre are now recording between 18 and 22 bags per acre, depending on rainfall patterns and farm management practices.

Beans and other food crops have also registered gains, with productivity rising by an estimated 20 to 25 per cent. Tea farmers in the area have similarly reported improved leaf quality and volumes due to consistent fertiliser application, which has strengthened the local economy given Tinderet’s position within Kenya’s key tea-growing belt.

Farmers report doubled harvests

Alice Chepkemoi, a farmer from the Meteitei location, said the subsidy has been a turning point for her farming operations. Before the programme, she could not afford enough fertiliser for her farm and would stretch one bag over two acres, which affected yields significantly.

Another farmer, Peter Sang, noted that reduced input costs have eased financial pressure on households, allowing families to allocate resources to other needs such as school fees and healthcare. He added that the programme has encouraged more smallholders to take farming seriously, knowing they can access affordable inputs at the start of every season.

Challenges remain despite gains

While the subsidy has delivered clear productivity gains, some farmers acknowledged that timely delivery of fertiliser remains a concern. In certain seasons, stocks at NCPB depots ran low before all growers could purchase their required quantities.

Agricultural officials said they are working with the national government to improve supply chains and ensure that fertiliser reaches depots well before planting seasons. They also urged farmers to register with their local cooperatives to streamline distribution and avoid last-minute shortages.

For now, the Tinderet experience suggests that subsidised fertiliser, when consistently available, can deliver meaningful yield improvements. Whether the programme can be sustained over multiple seasons without straining public finances remains a question for policymakers, but for growers in this high-potential area, the past two seasons have offered a glimpse of what affordable inputs can achieve.