The country’s rice production has tripled in the last seven years and outstripped demand thanks to increased consumption by the youth. Despite the rise in production, which stands at close to 150,000 metric tonnes annually, the country is yet to meet its demand of an estimated 540,000 metric tonnes annually.
According to the Agriculture ministry Principal secretary Dr Richard Lesiyampe, rice production rose from 50,000 metric tonnes in 2008 to 149,661 tonnes last year. He, however, said free market policies had allowed the flooding of cheap rice imports in the market to the detriment of local farmers.
“The government is committed to increasing rice production to reduce pressure on maize which is the country’s staple food,” he said. This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) deputy director Felister Makini during the national rice stakeholders’ forum held in Naivasha today.
During the function, the revised national rice development strategy was launched. Lesiyampe said the government through the National Irrigation Board (NIB) is committed to reviving collapsed irrigation schemes. The PS praised the Nerica rice variety because of high stress tolerance and produced exemplary yields with minimal irrigation.
“Currently, there are 260.8 metric tonnes of Nerica variety and 520 metirc tonnes of irrigated varieties with Kenya Seed Company and NIB respectively,” he said. Lesiyampe said inadequate irrigation infrastructure, low mechanisation, inadequate skills and low access to market are some of the challenges facing the sub-sector.
“Despite the challenges experienced by farmers, the rice sub-sector is on a dynamic growth path courtesy of the many interventions by the government,” he said. On his part, Kazuhiro Tambara from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) said the country has the potential to produce more rice and avoid importation.
“We are currently supporting the country in efficient ways of cultivation, research and improvement of infrastructure in rice growing regions,” he said. Coalition for African Rice Development (Card) general coordinator Takanori Satoyama called for more involvement of private sector in rice growing.
He said that the coalition, which was working in 23 countries including Kenya is committed to doubling rice production between 2008 and 2018. “Kenya has high potential of rice production mainly in Mwea and Ahero areas but what is lacking is technological support,” he said.
The post Soaring youth appetite triples demand for rice appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.