Mwaniki Wahome
31 October 2008
Nairobi — A South African fertiliser manufacturer is seeking to ship the input directly to Kenya, in a move that could lower prices.
Foskor, the largest fertiliser manufacturer in sub-Saharan Africa, was among a delegation from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa that is hunting for trade and investment opportunities in the country.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Serena Hotel on Friday, IDC chief executive officer, Geoffrey Qhena, said Foskor wanted to cut-off middlemen and ship the commodity into the country directly.
"Foskor wants to make the fertiliser available and and affordable to the farmers. It will look for partners to distribute the input in the country," he said.
The initiative comes at a time when the Government has announced its intention to subsidise fertiliser, whose prices have gone out of reach for many local farmers.
"The fertiliser from Foskor is imported by traders and they want to have direct exports. It is inherent upon the government to play a role in agriculture. I do not want to pre-empt the discussions," Mr Qhena replied when asked if they sealed a deal with the State.
The Government intends to use Sh11 billion for fertiliser imports that will be sold to farmers at subsidised prices.
The IDC officials, along with Foskor chief executive officer, Alfred Pitse met with several government officers after hosting the Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Their tour to the country was organised by Mashariki Kazi Limited, whose chairman is former NSSF managing trustee Jos Konzolo.
Earlier the V-P had urged the corporation to set up a fertiliser plant and open a regional office in Nairobi. He told IDC officials at Serena hotel that the country had huge investment opportunities especially in infrastructure.
"It is important that you set up a regional office in Nairobi so that we start taking you more seriously," Mr Kalonzo said.
The development corporation has already funded Kibos Sugar factory in the country.
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