Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged Kenyan farmers to adopt smart and precision agriculture, citing the benefits of technology in increasing yields and reducing waste. Speaking at the Jamhuri Park ASK Showground in Nairobi, Kindiki emphasized that the future of agriculture revolves around technology, research, and innovation. He noted that new crop varieties, better animal breeds, and improved farming yields have been developed through research and innovation.
Kindiki observed that the use of drones in farming is becoming increasingly popular, boosting precision agriculture. He cited the example of precision farming, where fertilizer and pesticides are applied only to the crops that require them, reducing waste and increasing efficiency. According to Kindiki, this approach is the next frontier of Kenyan agriculture, allowing farmers to use the right quantities of inputs and reduce costs.
The Deputy President stated that the government's plan to transform the agriculture sector, launched four years ago, includes the adoption of new technology. He noted that the government has upgraded the register of farmers from 300,000 to 7.2 million crop farmers and 3 million livestock keepers. This move aims to improve the accuracy of data and enhance the delivery of services to farmers.
Kindiki, accompanied by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and other officials, announced that fertilizer prices have been reduced by more than half, boosting production significantly. The price of a bag of fertilizer has decreased from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000 due to the government subsidy program. Additionally, the price of certified maize seed has fallen by 50% from Sh300 to Sh150 per kilogram.
The Deputy President also reported that the price of sexed semen for artificial insemination of dairy cows has been reduced from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 per dose. He stated that 8.9 million cattle have been vaccinated in an ongoing program targeting the entire population of 22 million cattle and 50 million small stocks in the country. These efforts aim to improve livestock breeds and increase productivity.
Kindiki highlighted Kenya's success in the agriculture sector, noting that the country is now the leading exporter of processed milk in Africa. Milk production has increased from 4.6 to 5.2 billion liters, and the value of dairy products has risen from Sh4.9 to Sh8.9 billion. Meat exports have also increased, with the value rising from Sh8.9 to Sh12.9 billion.
The government's efforts to support farmers and improve the agriculture sector are ongoing. With the adoption of smart agriculture, Kenyan farmers are expected to increase their productivity and yields, contributing to the country's economic growth. The government's initiatives aim to make agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and profitable for farmers.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has reduced fertilizer prices by more than half, from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000, to boost production.
- The government has upgraded the register of farmers from 300,000 to 7.2 million crop farmers and 3 million livestock keepers.
- Kenya is now the leading exporter of processed milk in Africa, with milk production increasing from 4.6 to 5.2 billion liters.
