Government buys entire Mwea rice stock worth Sh500 million
The move follows farmers’ calls to halt rice importation temporarily to allow for the sale of existing local stock
The ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has successfully addressed concerns raised by farmers under the Mwea Irrigation Scheme regarding the impact of rice importation on the sale of locally produced rice.
In a high-level meeting held at the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society offices, which was attended among others, its Chairman Ndege Muriuki, Manager Antony Waweru, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Dr Bruno Linyiru, Food Crops Directorate Director Calistus Kundu, and Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Lucy Anangwe, a decisive resolution was reached.
To protect the livelihoods of over 8,500 rice farmers from Kirinyaga and neighbouring counties KNTC will mop up over 5,000 metric tonnes of locally grown rice — valued at approximately Ksh 500 million. The Cooperative will receive full payment within one month after delivery, a significant improvement on previous delays that hampered farmers’ operations and cash flow.
The move follows farmers’ calls to halt rice importation temporarily to allow for the sale of existing local stock.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed AFA to visit the region with KNTC and find a solution. While acknowledging the strategic need for some imports due to the national rice deficit, the Ministry recognizes the importance of supporting local production first.
According to Dr Linyiru, Kenya produced 191,000 metric tonnes of milled rice in 2024/25 season. This can only last for two months because the monthly requirement is about 100,000 metric tonnes. He reiterated that since January, only 94,000 metric tonnes of rice has been imported. This shortfall, therefore, necessitates importation to supplement local supply of the third most consumed staple cereal after maize and wheat.
Going forward, AFA in collaboration with the ministry and other key stakeholders is spearheading initiatives to reduce rice imports by 50 per cent through expansion of irrigation schemes, increasing area under production, introduction of high-yield rice varieties and promotion of upland rice farming, a move that will empower more farmers, increase production and productivity and enhance food security.
The cooperative’s leadership, while supportive of controlled importation, expressed concern over unethical practices by some retailers packaging imported rice as local brands. AFA has pledged a firm crackdown on such deceptive practices in consultation with KEBS to protect both farmers and consumers.
KNTC said it remains a critical partner in this initiative and has pledged to purchase local rice. Farmers are grateful to the government for constructing Thiba Dam which has enabled the have three crops in a year hence increasing production.
At the same time, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Kenyan farmers and promoting local agricultural value chains as part of the national food security agenda.
