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Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development,Mutahi Kagwe
- Government Moves to Mop up Entire Stock of Local Rice from Mwea Farmers, Kirinyaga County;
Mwea rice farmers are celebrating a decisive breakthrough as the government commits to purchase their entire local rice stock, ensuring their harvests find a ready market.
On May 29, 2025, a decisive resolution was reached at a high-level meeting held at the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society offices.
To protect the livelihoods of over 8,500 rice farmers from Kirinyaga and neighboring counties, the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) will purchase over 5,000 metric tonnes of locally grown rice, valued at approximately Sh 500 million.
The Cooperative is set to receive full payment within one month of delivery, significantly improving cash flow and operations compared to previous delays.
This move follows farmers’ calls to halt rice importation temporarily to allow for the sale of existing local stock.
While acknowledging the strategic need for some imports due to the national rice deficit, the Ministry recognizes the importance of supporting local production first.
Dr. Bruno Linyiru, Director General, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) clarified that Kenya produced 191,000 metric tonnes of milled rice in 2024/25 season.
“This can only last for two months because the monthly requirement is about 100,000 metric tonnes,” he stated explaining the country’s significant shortfall.
He added that since January, only 94,000 metric tonnes of rice has been imported.
This shortfall therefore necessitates importation to supplement local supply of the third most consumed staple cereal after maize and wheat.
Going forward, AFA in collaboration with the Ministry and other key stakeholders is spearheading initiatives to reduce rice imports by 50 percent through expansion of irrigation schemes, increasing area under production, introduction of high-yield rice varieties and promotion of upland rice farming.
The move will empower more farmers, increase production and productivity and enhance food security.
The Cooperative’s leadership, while supportive of controlled importation, expressed concern over unethical practices by some retailers packaging imported rice as local brands.
AFA has pledged a firm crackdown on such deceptive practices in consultation with KEBS to protect both farmers and consumers.
KNTC remains a critical partner in this initiative and has pledged to purchase local rice.
Farmers are grateful to the government for constructing Thiba Dam which has enabled the have three crops in a year hence increasing production.
The Ministry reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of Kenyan farmers and promoting local agricultural value chains as part of the national food security agenda.
Key stakeholders in attendance included Cooperative Chairman Mr. Ndege Muriuki, Manager Mr. Antony Waweru, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru, Director of the Food Crops Directorate Mr. Calistus Kundu, and Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Ms. Lucy Anangwe.
