Kenya’s Mwea rice farmers raise alarm over surge in cheap imports
Farmers say falling prices and slow sales now threaten incomes in Kenya’s largest rice growing region.
KENYA – Rice farmers and traders in Kenya, Mwea, Kirinyaga County say cheap imported rice has flooded the market, pushing down prices and leaving many producers without buyers.
Traders at local stores report long hours with little activity as customers turn to lower priced imported rice. Many farmers who brought their harvest to market say they returned home with unsold bags.
“It’s the worst time for us. We think the government brought in a large amount of rice, and buyers now prefer it because it is cheaper,” said one trader in Mwea.
Farmers say the sudden drop in demand has left them with stock they cannot sell. Mary Wambui, a farmer from Thiba, said millers refused to buy her paddy rice despite her urgent need for cash.
“The millers told me they are not buying rice because they still have stock they bought last week. I am now going back home with my rice,” she said.
Simon Munene shared a similar concern after failing to find a buyer.
“I wanted to sell the rice to buy fertiliser for the off season crop, but I now have nowhere to sell it,” he said.
Prices in the local market have dropped in recent weeks. Farmers say Pishori white rice that sold at KSh 180 per kilogram (US$1.39) now sells at KSh 150 per kilogram (US$1.16). Traders also say paddy Pishori rice that they bought at KSh 90 per kilogram (US$0.70) now sells at about KSh 80 per kilogram (US$0.62).
Local farmers say officials had earlier promised to support the market by buying locally produced rice. They claim that pledge has not materialised.
Farmers led by Pius Njogu accuse the Ministry of Agriculture of failing to release KSh 200 million (US$1.55 million) that officials said would go toward buying rice from local producers.
“When officials from the Agriculture and Food Authority and the Kenya National Trading Corporation visited Mwea and promised to buy rice, nothing followed,” said Joseph Wainaina. “Our leaders welcomed them, but after they left we heard nothing.”
Some farmers now link the market pressure to reports that the government imported about 500,000 metric tonnes of rice.
“The government imported 500,000 metric tonnes of rice, and this is the result for Mwea farmers,” said William Muthii from the Wamumu area.
Production plans move ahead
The concerns come as the government continues efforts to expand local rice production. In February, Kenya began work on the Kobong’o irrigation project in Kisumu County with funding of KSh 650 million (US$5.03 million).
The National Irrigation Authority plans to convert the Ahero pumping station into a hybrid system powered partly by a 500 kilowatt solar plant. The project will also extend irrigation to about 400 hectares.
Eric Mugaa, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, said the project will support farm output and create jobs.
“It is expected to create 5,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs and generate about KSh 250 million [US$1.94 million] each year once fully operational,” he said.
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