Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called for more investment in technology and innovation as Kenya looks for new ways to increase farm production and improve the earnings of farmers.
Kagwe made the remarks during a tour of farms in Trans Nzoia, where he visited farmers using different technologies and modern farming methods to improve production.
The farms visited included Hydroponic Farm, Mt. Elgon Orchards, Lokitela Farm and Sirwo Farm.
The visits gave the CS a look at how farmers are using mechanisation, greenhouse technology, automated irrigation and other modern methods to increase their output.
Artificial intelligence has also started finding its way into farming, with AI-powered drones being used to monitor crops and help farmers make decisions about their farms.
The technology can help farmers identify problems affecting crops early and use farm inputs more accurately.
According to Kagwe, these kinds of innovations can prove to be very vital in ensuring that Kenyan agriculture becomes highly productive and competitive.
Apart from these innovations, the farmers were seen employing other innovative methods such as hydroponic farming and avocado seedling grafting as they seek to produce quality products in a sustainable way.
Post-harvest processing was also emphasized as being very vital in the agricultural value chain, especially where farmers intend to export their products.
Emphasis on value addition and markets
According to Kagwe, increased production alone will not be adequate unless farmers find reliable markets for their products.
There is need for improved marketing and branding of agricultural products to make them competitive.
According to the CS, farmers need to move beyond producing raw products and explore more value addition opportunities.
He said the government would continue working to open new markets while strengthening existing ones to give farmers better and more sustainable returns.
It became evident how many job opportunities exist outside the farms.
Kagwe added that there are job opportunities in agriculture that include processing, packing, transportation, logistics, and export companies.
He also encouraged a closer collaboration between the government and the private sector in order to invest more in new technologies and modern agriculture.
Airlines crucial for agricultural exports
Kagwe also noted the role that airlines play in enabling Kenyan farmers to get their produce to international markets.
He stated that air cargo plays a key role in transporting fresh agricultural produce since it should be delivered to foreign markets as fast as possible while being still fresh.
Kenya Airways was named as one of the crucial partners in developing agricultural exports in Kenya.
Chairman of Kenya Airways, who is a farmer himself, was also accompanying the CS on his farm visits, emphasizing the connection between agriculture and aviation industry.
Kagwe also assured that the government will support farmers and processors while working towards increasing production, opening markets and increasing value of Kenyan agricultural products.
Visits to the Trans Nzoia farms helped to see how technology from basic irrigation systems to AI could become an integral part of agriculture in Kenya.
