RATIN

Fertiliser plant to save Kenya Sh3bn yearly

Posted on May, 3, 2016 at 09:29 am


The country will save Sh3 billion used every year in the importation of fertiliser when the Japanese conglomerate Toyota Tsusho Corporation rolls out the first production from its Eldoret plant in August.

Deputy President William Ruto on Friday said Kenya will no longer import fertiliser by the end of the year once the multi-billion shilling project starts operations.

The move will come as a relief to farmers who have been suffering from perennial shortage of the crucial farm input resulting from late imports that has seen some growers delay planting.

Mr Ruto said completion of the factory would solve the problem that the country faces in importing fertiliser.

Speaking when he received a progress report of the ongoing construction work, Mr Ruto said completion of the factory would also bring down the cost of production.

“We are impressed at the good progress being witnessed in the construction of the factory. We are optimistic that by the end of this year, we will no longer import fertiliser,” said Mr Ruto.

The Deputy President noted that the local manufacturing plant will be sensitive to soils and crops as it will produce fertiliser based on the specific requirements.

Chairman of Toyota Kenya Dennis Awori said they were doing everything possible to meet the August deadline.

Source: Daily Nation