There is shortage of fertilizers in the country. The national government is providing subsidized fertilizers to farmers but the demand is too high. This has forced the government to resort to importing fertilizers from Saudi Arabia.
Athi River Mining (ARM) Public Limited Company manufactures Mavuno brand of fertilizers. The company is also tasked with producing the subsidized fertilizer for the government through the bulk procurement initiative to ensure farmers get cheap fertilizers as envisioned in Vision 2030.
In a bid to meet the high fertilizer demand, ARM has doubled its production. They started by employing more casual workers to increase the daily target. The workers are divide into three shifts. The morning shift starts at 6am in the morning and ends at 2pm.The second shift starts at 2pm and ends at 10pm.The third shift starts from 10pm and ends at 6am.This ensures that the factory operates 24 hours.
Huge trucks enter and leave the factory at intervals. Some of the Counties that have ordered for fertilizers include the County government of Trans Nzoia, the County government of Kakamega and the County government of Bungoma.
Mavuno produces planting fertilizer, top dressing fertilizer and fertilizer for vegetables