Food prices, fertiliser subsidies dominate discussions in Ruto’s Cabinet meeting
President William Ruto on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, held a cabinet meeting whose discussions focused more on food prices and fertiliser subsidies.
In a statement to newsrooms, the cabinet observed that food prices, especially maize flour, had dropped in the past few days.
"In considering the overall cost of living, the meeting took note of ongoing State interventions to address the cost of maize, rice, wheat and other staple food items; as well as inputs for animal feeds. As a consequence of the seminal interventions by the State, Cabinet noted with satisfaction that the interventions lowered the price of maize meal to an average of Ksh155 down from a high of Ksh230. The trend is expected to continue as maize imports are received in the country," the dispatch read in part.
The cabinet has also resolved that the government will continue providing subsidized fertiliser to farmers during the long rains season.
"The meeting noted that all parts of the country continue to receive relatively high rainfall. In that regard, and in an effort to support our farmers to realize bountiful harvests, the meeting reaffirmed that the Administration shall continue to avail affordable fertilizer across the nation," the statement added.
The Cabinet urged farmers to take advantage of the ongoing Fertilizer Subsidy Programme, where fertilizer is being offered for sale at Ksh3,500 down from the market price of Ksh6,000 per 50 Kgs bag during the current crop year covering the long rains season (March-May) and the short rains planting season (July-October).
"With enhanced agricultural productivity coupled with other consequential policy measures, the nation is expected to graduate into the league of food surplus nations within the decade," added the statement.
Cabinet take on fisheries
In a bid to harness the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food and nutritional security, Cabinet also considered and approved the Fisheries Policy. The policy seeks to provide a framework for the sustainable management and development of inland water and marine fishing resources in Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters.
"The Policy identifies fisheries as a new growth sector by building on the phenomenal development of the sector over the last two decades, where the value of national annual fish production increased from an estimated value of Ksh9 billion in 2008 to Ksh30.38 billion in 2021," added the cabinet.
The cabinet also adopted the resolutions of the Community’s Council of Ministers that seek to enhance integration across various sectors; including agriculture, services, education, communication and fisheries.
"The Cabinet noted that the EAC Common Market is now home to a population of 283 million, thus offering our nation greater opportunities for socioeconomic development through a wider market for Kenyan goods and services," added the statement.
