(Nairobi) – President William Ruto is set to deliver his State of the Nation address today, focusing on critical agricultural challenges and successes across Kenya. The address comes amid pressing concerns in the maize, coffee, tea, and sugar sectors, which are pivotal to the nation’s economy.
Kenya’s agricultural landscape showcases both progress and persistent obstacles. In the Rift Valley, maize farmers are celebrating a bumper harvest credited to the government’s fertilizer subsidy and favorable rains. National maize output is projected to surpass 70 million bags in 2024, compared to 67 million bags in 2023 and 44 million in 2022.
The subsidized NPK fertilizer, priced at KSh 2,500 ($16.96) per 50-kilogram bag, has been pivotal. The government, through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), distributed 2.5 million bags of fertilizer to farmers. Over two years, this program has boosted maize harvests by 23 million bags.
Despite these gains, farmers face high production costs and post-harvest losses. Non-functional dryers at NCPB depots in Narok, Kericho, and Bomet counties have left farmers reliant on open-air drying, risking significant losses.
Key Figures in Kenya’s Maize Sector
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Maize Output (bags) | 44 million | 67 million | 70 million+ |
| Fertilizer Distributed (bags) | 8.5 million | – | 2.5 million |
| Maize Deficit (metric tons) | 365,000 | – | – |
In the coffee and tea-producing Central region, frustrations are mounting among farmers who feel sidelined by unfulfilled promises of sector reforms. Coffee cooperatives like Baricho Farmers Society in Nyeri are in financial crisis, with debts exceeding KSh 300 million ($2.04 million). Allegations of mismanagement, delayed payments, and deductions have led to protests across Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Meru, and Murang’a counties.
Farmers in Nyeri expressed disappointment, citing President Ruto’s unkept campaign promises to revive coffee farming. Benson Karanja, a member of a local farmers’ society, lamented that hopes for better fortunes have faded.
Meanwhile, Western Kenya’s sugarcane industry awaits implementation of the delayed Sugar Act 2022, which aims to modernize state-owned mills through private-sector leasing. The act would replace outdated machinery and introduce new governance structures.
Five factories—Chemelil, Sony, Nzoia, Muhoroni, and Miwani—are earmarked for leasing, representing 30% of the sugar market. However, litigation over worker involvement and unpaid salary arrears totaling KSh 5.2 billion ($35.31 million) has stalled progress.
Snapshot of Kenya’s Struggling Sugar Sector
| Sugar Mill | State Ownership | Market Share (%) | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | 98.8% | 30% | Outdated machinery, debt |
| Chemelil | 96.22% | Pending leasing agreements | |
| Muhoroni | 82.8% | Worker salary arrears |
In other regions, land fragmentation and high production costs have led farmers to diversify into short-season crops like beans and peas.
President Ruto’s address is expected to outline steps to address these persistent issues. The agricultural sector, which accounts for 21.8% of Kenya’s GDP, remains vital to the country’s economic stability and food security.