The government has unveiled an ambitious KSh1.47 trillion programme aimed at transforming agriculture into a modern, technology‑driven sector that generates jobs, boosts exports, and strengthens food security.
Speaking in Nairobi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe introduced the Kenya AgriConnect Compact (2025–2030), a five‑year initiative developed in partnership with the World Bank. The programme seeks to harness technology to improve farming practices, reduce post‑harvest losses, and attract billions of shillings in private investment.
Under the plan, farmers will gain access to digitised services, agritech platforms that enhance market traceability, and advanced processing technologies designed to cut losses that have historically cost producers millions of shillings annually.
The government will provide KSh492.5 billion in seed funding, with expectations of mobilising an additional KSh984.9 billion from private investors. Kagwe said the initiative marks a fundamental shift in how Kenya views agriculture.
“The AgriConnect Compact positions agriculture not as a subsistence sector, but as a modern, technology‑enabled, climate‑smart and investment‑ready engine for inclusive economic transformation,” he said.
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Government funding will be directed toward building critical infrastructure and reducing investment risks, making sectors such as dairy, horticulture, and edible oils more attractive to businesses and financiers.
The reforms also target reducing food staple imports by half while increasing high‑value agricultural exports by 60 percent, positioning Kenya as more self‑sufficient and competitive in global markets.
Projections show the initiative could create nearly 2.5 million jobs by 2030, particularly for young people in agro‑processing, logistics, digital supply chains, and agribusiness management. “The jobs to be created will be real jobs with dignity. The food security we achieve will mean that no Kenyan goes to bed hungry,” Kagwe said.
The government says the next step is securing private sector participation to help turn Kenya’s agricultural ambitions into reality.
By Masaki Enock
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