Fertiliser Subsidies Boost Maize Production to 71 Million Bags, President Ruto Says

President William Ruto says the government’s fertiliser subsidy programme has contributed to increased agricultural production, with maize output rising from 34.3 million bags in 2022 to 71 million bags in 2025.

Speaking during the Agriculture and Food Security Transformation Summit at Jamhuri ASK Showground in Nairobi, Ruto said the government had subsidised more than 38 million bags of fertiliser since 2022 to cushion farmers against high production costs.

“Since 2022, we have subsidised more than 38 million bags of fertiliser, reducing the price from Sh7,500 to Sh2,000 per bag and cushioning farmers against high input costs,” Ruto said.

The President also highlighted an increase in cotton yields, which rose from 177 kilogrammes to 378 kilogrammes per acre during the period under review.

“These are some examples of the phenomenal transformation taking place across the agriculture sector as a result of four years of sustained reforms and investment,” he said.

The Agriculture and Food Security Transformation Summit brought together approximately 10,000 stakeholders to assess progress in the sector, discuss existing challenges and explore strategies to strengthen food security.

Looking ahead, Ruto said the government plans to expand irrigation infrastructure through the construction of mega, medium and micro dams across the country under the National Infrastructure Fund.

“We intend to build on this progress by building mega, medium and micro dams across the country under the National Infrastructure Fund, expanding acreage under irrigation to 2.5 million acres,” he said.

The planned expansion is expected to increase the area under irrigation, reduce farmers’ reliance on rainfall and support agricultural production throughout the year.

The government says continued investment in agricultural reforms, affordable farm inputs and irrigation infrastructure will be key to improving food security, supporting farmers and strengthening the sector’s contribution to the economy.

also read;