The Kenya Tea Development Agency Management Services (KTDA MS) has announced that a significant shipment of fertilizer, intended for smallholder tea farmers, is set to arrive in the country from September 10th. This delivery is crucial for the 2024/2025 farming season, ensuring that farmers receive the fertilizer in time for application ahead of the short rains.
KTDA MS has imported 97,000 metric tonnes of NPK 26:5:5 fertilizer this year, marking an increase from the 88,000 metric tonnes procured last year. The rise in quantity reflects both the expansion of smallholder tea acreage and the growing preference among organizations and individuals outside the KTDA network to source their fertilizer through the agency.
The fertilizer, sourced directly from Russia, will be bagged at the port of Mombasa before being distributed to farmers via their respective tea factories. This approach aims to ensure efficient and timely delivery, critical for maintaining the high quality and quantity of green leaf required for premium tea production.
Collins Bett, Managing Director of KTDA MS, confirmed the schedule for the shipments. “The first shipment, carrying approximately 47,400 tonnes of fertilizer, will dock at the Port of Mombasa on September 10th. The second shipment, carrying the remaining balance, is expected to arrive two weeks later,” he stated. “We anticipate that farmers will receive the fertilizer promptly due to our seamless logistics plan and dedicated team.”
The final cost of a 50kg bag of fertilizer will be influenced by several factors, including the cost of natural gas (a key component in manufacturing NPK fertilizer), exchange rates, shipment costs, marine and overland insurance, as well as clearing and transportation costs to the respective tea factories.
KTDA procures fertilizer in bulk through competitive international bidding, benefiting more than 680,000 small-scale tea farmers who are shareholders of its managed factories. This bulk procurement allows farmers to access high-quality fertilizer at competitive prices, ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness.
In addition, the KTDA fertilizer credit scheme enables farmers to pay for the fertilizer in installments, easing the financial burden associated with purchasing this essential input for tea farming.
As the short rains approach, the timely arrival and distribution of fertilizer will play a critical role in supporting Kenya’s tea industry, which remains a vital part of the country’s agricultural sector and economy.
