Council of Governors (CoG) Chair Ahmed Abdullahi. Photo courtesy

Agriculture drives Kenya’s economy as counties report record farm output

Agriculture’s GDP share rose to 23.2 per cent, with output valued at Ksh 4.07 trillion. Horticulture, coffee, tea and milk posted strong growth, while wheat and sugarcane output declined. Counties want more funding for irrigation, mechanisation and value addition. Agriculture remained the backbone of Kenya’s economy in the last financial year, with the sector’s share…

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West Kenya Sugar Company Chairman Jaswant Singh Rai (right) appearing before lawmakers alongside legal and business representatives.

Sugar millers push for tighter controls on raw sugar imports

Sugar millers want tighter controls on raw sugar imports to protect local producers. They urged enforcement of the Sugar Act, 2024 and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) rules to stop raw sugar reaching consumers. They warned excess imports are hurting local millers, jobs and tax revenue. Sugar industry stakeholders have urged the national government to regulate…

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Auditor General Nancy Gathungu- Photo courtesy

Audit exposes toxic pesticide risks to millions of Kenyans

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s audit found major failures in Kenya’s pesticide regulation, exposing millions to toxic pesticides. The report faulted the Pest Control Products Board for weak enforcement, poor farmer awareness and inadequate border controls. The audit warns the gaps threaten public health, food safety and the environment A performance audit has raised alarm over…

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Senate committee reviews amendments to extension bill

Senate Agriculture Committee reviewed National Assembly amendments to the Agriculture and Livestock Extension Service Bill, 2022 Bill seeks to establish a legal framework for coordinated agricultural and livestock extension services and improve farmers’ access to technical support Committee will prepare a report with recommendations on the amendments for consideration by the Senate in plenary The…

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CS Mutahi Kagwe at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Photo/courtesy

Ministry invites public views on digital agriculture policy

Ministry invites stakeholders to validate draft digital agriculture policy and bill on August 7 at KALRO headquarters in Nairobi Drafts propose a national framework for agricultural data and digital technologies and establish the Kenya Agricultural Digital Information Centre (KADIC) Public can submit written memoranda through email or to the Ministry before the validation meeting on…

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Busia County strikes deal to slash dairy AI costs to Ksh700

Busia County has partnered with FIPS Africa and the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) to provide subsidised artificial insemination services and improve dairy breeds. The programme will cut the cost of artificial insemination from Ksh2,000 to Ksh700 and targets more than 2,000 inseminations in Busia. Farmers are expected to boost milk production, increase incomes…

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President William Ruto speaking at the ACK Church in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County, on Sunday, August 3. Photo/courtesy

Ruto pledges fertiliser price cut to boost food production

President William Ruto pledged to reduce fertiliser and seed prices from next year to encourage farmers to increase food production. Farmers were urged to take advantage of the expected short rains after failed rains caused widespread crop losses and reduced harvests. The government plans to construct 50 mega dams, 200 medium sized dams and 1,000…

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Farmers affiliated to Gatuura Horticulture Cooperative Society receiving certification certificate from Trademark Africa CEO Joyce Wambui Gema.

Kandara farmers earn certification to export avocados, mangoes

Farmers in Gatuura, Murang’a, have received certification to export avocados, mangoes and other horticultural produce to international markets. Farmers said the certification process required soil and water testing, farm inspections, documentation and audits, with some dropping out due to its complexity. Trademark Africa said 22 more farmer groups in Murang’a are pursuing certification, while farmers…

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Gov’t targets threefold boost in bixa production for farmers

Government plans to triple Kenya’s annual bixa production to at least 3,000 tonnes through certified seedlings, extension services, farmer cooperatives and affordable financing. Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative will increase farmer incomes, create jobs and strengthen rural economies by expanding the bixa value chain along the Coast. Farmers currently earn about Ksh 152,000…

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