Kenya targets 17% reduction in wheat imports by 2027

KENYA – The Kenyan government has embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce wheat imports by 17% by 2027 through increased support for local farmers.

Currently, local wheat production accounts for only 8% of national consumption, while imports dominate at 92%, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Narok, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing wheat production.

He noted that the country has the potential to produce more wheat and highlighted key interventions, including subsidized farm inputs and extension services, to support farmers.

“The government is prioritizing the availability and adoption of clean seeds, along with implementing minimum guaranteed prices, subsidized fertilizer programs, e-extension services, soil testing, and improved seed varieties under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” said Dr. Linyiru.

Kenya is a wheat-deficit country, with national annual demand ranging between 2.2 million and 2.4 million metric tonnes, while local production stood at only 135,000 metric tonnes in 2023.

This has led to a reliance on imports, mainly from Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union. Data from the AFA Food Crops Directorate indicates that the country imported approximately 1,407,129 metric tonnes (15,634,767 bags) of wheat over the last eight months, with total projected imports standing at 3,246,000 metric tonnes (36 million bags).

To boost production, the government has identified new areas suitable for wheat farming, including Laikipia, Samburu, and Marsabit counties. These areas are expected to complement traditional wheat-growing regions such as Narok, Timau, and Mau.

The expansion strategy includes the cultivation of wheat varieties like Farasi, Kangaroo, and Sungura, which have shown promise in these regions.

From July 2024 to March 2025, local wheat harvests are projected at 1,710,358 (90kg) bags, with millers already purchasing 1,388,762 bags.

The remaining wheat stock, primarily held by farmers and marketing agents, stands at 321,596 bags, with the majority—130,828 bags—being in Upper Narok. An additional 80,000 bags are expected to be harvested in Upper Narok and Timau.

AFA Food Crops Director Calistus Kundu noted that wheat production in Kenya has been on a downward trend, decreasing from 256,000 metric tonnes in 2010 to approximately 180,000 metric tonnes in 2020.

Meanwhile, wheat imports surged from 845,000 metric tonnes in 2010 to 2.2 million metric tonnes in recent years.

He attributed the decline to increasing production costs, low farm-gate prices, land subdivision, and short land leases that limit the adoption of modern farming techniques such as conservation agriculture.

Government orders destruction of expired fertilizer to uphold quality standards

In a separate development, Agriculture & Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered the destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer held in various NCPB stores across the country.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) will oversee the safe disposal of the consignment, which was delivered by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 2024 and January 2025.

Before delivery, KEBS approved the fertilizer after testing. However, the NCPB later flagged concerns regarding the short shelf life, which was set to expire by February 28, 2025.

Given the slow sale rate, the unsold fertilizer is now slated for destruction as per standard operating procedures. KEBS seized the consignment on March 4, 2025, preventing further distribution.

CS Kagwe emphasized that the government remains steadfast in ensuring Kenyan farmers access high-quality farm inputs while upholding public health and environmental safety standards.

He urged stakeholders in the agricultural sector to invest in insurance to mitigate such losses, reiterating that the government and the Kenyan public will not bear any financial burden from the expired consignment. Fine Tech Edge Ltd, as the supplier, will shoulder the financial loss associated with the disposal.

With these strategic interventions, the government aims to enhance food security, reduce reliance on imports, and create a more resilient agricultural sector for the country.

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