Government plans to import 25 million bags of 90, KG maize to deal with food shortages predicted from lower output levels combined with climate, related problems affecting major maize producing regions.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe revealed that arrangements for the imports had been settled, promising Kenyans that the country will still have enough food supply, despite the foreseen food shortfall.
According to Kagwe, Kenya uses approximately 75 million bags of maize per year, but due to the decline in output, it’s estimated that there will be a shortage of close to 25 million bags.The imports are therefore intended to stabilize supplies and cushion consumers from possible price increases.
Kagwe indicated that besides implementing the imported maize strategy, the government is also working on long-term initiatives like expanding water sources through the Galana Kulalu irrigation project to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
The Government will further work with the National Treasury to address taxation and bureaucratic challenges affecting farmers and agribusinesses.
The ministry is commencing dialogues on the launch of a new initiative called AgriConnect Compact Programme, which intends to offer tens of thousands of jobs by reinventing agriculture as a technologically modern, commercially attractive sector.
The programme will be geared towards boosting farm productivity, pushing for more value added products, generating lasting jobs, among many areas with a strong focus on rural youth, while at the same time promoting digital innovation, AI technology, and high tech farming tools.
Kagwe said ii is necessary to make agriculture a source of generating income and providing employment in the country and not merely the way of eking out a living.
