Over 4,000 farmers in Laikipia have a reason to smile after the government launched the distribution of subsidized fertilizer in the County.While speaking at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Nanyuki on Tuesday after the launch of the fertilizer subsidy programme, Agriculture Finance Corporation Managing Director George Kubai said that the government would continue to support farmers to increase their productivity.'The government has subsidized the fertilizer that was earlier retailing at Sh6000 to Sh2500. This is in line with the Kenya Kwanza government to reduce the cost of basic commodities and stabilize the economy through pumping in more resources in production and not consumption,' said Kubai.Laikipia County Agricultural Officer Elijah Mbugua assured farmers that the fertilizer distributed by the government was of quality and encouraged them to take advantage of the subsidy program aimed at increasing their productivity.'The county government did numerous soil tests to ascertain t he type and composition of the fertilizer needed and subsidized fertilizer is safe to be used in this region,' said Mbugua.Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli sent a stern warning to unscrupulous business dealers harbouring any plans to sell the government's subsidized fertilizer to farmers stating that any such culprits would be arrested and charged.Residents expressed optimism that with the fertilizer subsidy programme, they would reap high yield this season and at the same time lauded the government for cushioning them against the high cost of production.Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, they are set to distribute about 12.5 million bags of cheap fertilizer for the first phase, 8.5 million during the long rainy season, and 4 million bags during the short rainy season this year with about 6.4 million farmers benefiting countrywide.Source: Kenya News Agency