The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a process to acquire the entire stock of rice from farmers participating in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in order to satisfy the increasing demand for this commodity within the nation.
In a statement, Bruno Linyiru, the Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority, clarified that the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) is set to purchase over 5,000 metric tonnes of domestically produced rice, which is estimated to be worth around Ksh.500 million, with payments to farmers being made within a month following delivery.
This decision was made in response to a request from farmers for the government to temporarily suspend rice imports, allowing for the sale of the current local stock.
To address this issue, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe instructed the AFA to visit the region and seek a resolution. The Director General of AFA noted that Kenya is projected to produce only 191,000 metric tonnes of rice in the 2024/25 period, which would suffice for a duration of two months. Linyiru further mentioned that Kenya relies on rice imports to complement the domestic supply.
After the tour, AFA, in collaboration with other stakeholders, reached an agreement to cut rice imports by 50 percent by enhancing irrigation schemes and introducing high-yield rice varieties to boost local food production.
Farmers have also raised concerns regarding unethical practices by certain retailers who are mislabeling imported rice as local brands. To address this issue, AFA has committed to a stringent crackdown on such practices to safeguard both farmers and consumers.
The Ministry reiterates its dedication to protecting the interests of Kenyan farmers and fostering local agricultural value chains as part of the national food security strategy,” the statement partially read.
