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The government plans to transform the agriculture sector over the next five years with an eye on reducing the increasing food import bill by increasing productivity in all priority value chains and also increasing land under irrigation.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi reiterated the government’s commitment to fast-track key and receptive approaches to increasing yields in all priority value chains.

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data shows that food import bill rose 21 per cent to Sh155.42 billion in 2021 compared to Sh128.06 billion in 2020.

“Over the next five years, the government plans to transform the agriculture sector by increasing production and productivity in all priority value chains, better and affordable access to quality farm inputs,” said Linturi.

He identified better targeting of government investments in the sector and promoting public-private partnerships as an avenue for sustainable transformation and growth.

Unlock private farms

The CS made the remarks while addressing farmers and agricultural stakeholders during the 76th Annual General Meeting of the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) at Thogoto, Kiambu county.

Linturi said the government will unlock private farms and expand land under irrigation.

Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy says 2019-29 Government plans to unlock 50 large-scale private farms of 2,500 acres each or more and ensure sustainable water supply for more than 150,000 acres of irrigation from existing infrastructure. The Government will achieve through rehabilitation of dams and dual-purpose hydro-power. 

The government, Linturi said, will work together with farmers groups to create a comprehensive database system for efficient procurement and distribution of farm inputs.

President William Ruto had after presiding over the swearing in of 49 principal secretaries directed Ministry of Agriculture to immediately embark on strategies to ensure e-voucher system has been achieved as part of confronting cartels that have been exploiting farmers. 

Linturi explained that the government will partner with the farmer association, for example, KENAFF to ensure all the growers are registered and the same data used for planning and distribution of farm inputs. 

– Nicholas Waitathu