The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has partnered with OCP Kenya to stabilize fertiliser prices and improve accessibility for smallholder farmers. Under the agreement, 50kg bags of DAP fertiliser are sold at Ksh2,300—down from Ksh2,800–Ksh3,200—through KNTC's nationwide warehouse network, ensuring transparent distribution and eliminating exploitative middlemen.
The collaboration follows the suspension of Kenya's subsidised fertiliser programme in March 2020, which aimed to curb corruption. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya highlighted that unscrupulous dealers had manipulated the system by repackaging subsidised fertilisers. KNTC's role now includes direct distribution to farmers, with 60,000 bags already supplied to early planting regions like Nakuru and Uasin Gishu.
OCP Kenya, representing Morocco's OCP Group—the world's largest phosphate producer—will import fertilisers, while KNTC manages distribution. The partnership includes mobile soil testing labs and training programs, benefiting 85,000 farmers with agronomic guidance. DAP and top-dressing fertilisers are prioritized, with 186,350 metric tonnes of DAP available, including 34,350 tonnes imported in November 2019.
Smallholder farmers report significant yield improvements. Raymond Kibor, who began farming in 2016, noted a 95% germination rate with OCP's DAP, up from 70-80% using other brands. Wilson Tarus, a wheat farmer, expects 30-40 bags per acre this season, compared to 10 bags previously. Agronomists attribute these results to the 4Rs framework—right fertiliser, price, rate, and timing—emphasizing soil testing as a critical step.
KNTC plans to expand the programme with an e-voucher system for transparency. OCP aims to scale customised fertiliser blends by partnering with local blenders, addressing micronutrient gaps. Despite current stockpiles, challenges remain in ensuring equitable distribution as planting seasons progress.
