Ruto: We will reduce food imports by 50 per cent in the next five years
By Mary Ouko, January 27, 2024
President William Ruto has announced plans to cut food imports by 50 per cent.
Speaking after commissioning the Mweu Umoja One irrigation project in Nkubu, Meru county on Saturday, January 27, 2024, the president assured Kenyans that the government will reduce the imported food expenditure within the next five years.
The Head of State announced that his administration is looking forward to slashing Ksh200 billion from the current Ksh500 billion on annual food imports.
The president noted that the Ksh200 billion will be used to enhance food production in the country
“In the next five years we want to cut down the money we use to buy food by 50%. We want to remove 200 billion from our budget of importing food and within ten years tunataka kuhakikisha kwamba hakuna chakula inaagizwa tena, chakula yote izalishwe hapa nyumbani,” the president said.
While expressing optimism, Ruto stated that the move would help reduce the current expenditure and benefit farmers.
“Kwa sasa kila mwaka tunatumia karibu billioni mia tano kuagiza chakula, tunaleta mchele, mahindi, edible oil, na tunatumia pesa yetu kuleta chakula kutoka nje na hio chakula yote tunaweza kuzalisha hapa nyumbani,” Ruto added.
Earlier, the president reiterated his commitment to enhancing the country’s agricultural capabilities.
In his statement on Thursday, January 11, 2024, Ruto stated that the country foresee a 40 per cent increase in harvests compared to last year.
The president also assured Kenyans that his administration will enhance production to help reduce the cost of living.
“The only way to lower the cost of living and increase food production is to help farmers produce more food to get rid of famine,” he said.
“We reduced fertiliser prices and one bag that was costing Sh7000 is now going at Sh2500 …We are also lucky that this year we have gotten 40% more harvest than the last year.”