Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural value chains as a cornerstone for Kenya’s socio-economic transformation, job creation, food security, and industrialization.
Speaking after receiving an update on progress made in the agriculture sector at his official residence in Karen, the Deputy President emphasized that strategic interventions by the Kenya Kwanza administration over the past two years have yielded remarkable gains across key value chains, including coffee, tea, sugarcane, and maize.
“Agriculture is central to our national development. It goes beyond food security—it is a key driver of job creation, income generation, and economic growth through agro-processing and manufacturing,” Kindiki stated.
He noted that the government has undertaken deliberate and comprehensive reforms aimed at increasing productivity, boosting farmer earnings, and lowering food costs.
These include modernization of factories to enhance efficiency, promotion of cooperative societies among farmers, and the rollout of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) to accelerate value addition at the grassroots.
The Deputy President highlighted the positive impact of these interventions, noting a rise in farmer incomes and new job opportunities in rural areas. He also revealed ongoing efforts to revitalize other crucial value chains including wheat, rice, nuts, and edible oils.
“In the rice sector, we are working to close the annual production deficit of 800,000 metric tonnes. Kenya currently produces 300,000 metric tonnes against a demand of 1 million tonnes. The Kenya Kwanza administration is making targeted interventions to boost local production,” he said.
Kindiki also acknowledged progress in the edible oils sector, especially in sunflower farming and value addition, noting that the reforms are starting to bear fruit.
The update presented to the Deputy President covered transformation milestones across other sectors such as dairy, horticulture, cotton, and nuts—areas seen as critical for ensuring food security and empowering millions of Kenyans economically.
“With continued investment and collaboration with stakeholders, we are confident that the agricultural sector will drive inclusive growth and stability for our country,” Kindiki concluded.
