President William Ruto has emphasized the significance of farming in his life, stating that he feels unwell if he doesn't visit his farm for weeks. He made these remarks during an Agriculture and Food Security town hall meeting at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi, where he discussed the government's agricultural policies and priorities with farmers. Ruto expressed his pride in being a farmer and highlighted the importance of agriculture to him.
Ruto's administration made deliberate commitments to agriculture and food systems in 2022, which were documented in its manifesto. This allows Kenyans to hold the government accountable for its actions. One of the commitments was to base agricultural interventions on accurate data rather than guesswork. The government has since expanded the registration of farmers on its digital platform, with 8.9 million farmers registered so far.
The registration of farmers has helped the government improve the distribution of farm inputs and identify farmers by the commodities they produce. This includes tea, goats, and maize. Ruto explained that farmers seeking subsidized fertilizer now need to use vouchers issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. This move has prevented people without farms and middlemen from accessing the subsidized input.
Ruto highlighted that the government's second major commitment was to focus on production level interventions rather than subsidizing food at the point of consumption. He cited the cost of maize flour in 2022, when a 2-kilogram packet of unga retailed at Sh250. The government at the time sought to address food prices through consumption subsidies, which Ruto believes is not the solution to food security problems.
According to Ruto, the best place to intervene is at the farm level, as food security problems can only be solved by increasing production. He stated that the government is working to improve agricultural productivity and support farmers in various ways. This includes providing them with accurate data and subsidized inputs to help them increase their yields.
The President's emphasis on agriculture comes as the government seeks to address food security challenges in the country. Kenya has been experiencing high food prices, and the government is working to implement policies that will help reduce these costs. Ruto's commitment to agriculture and his personal experience as a farmer are seen as positive steps towards addressing these challenges.
The town hall meeting provided a platform for farmers to engage with the government on various issues affecting the agricultural sector. Ruto's interaction with farmers and his explanation of the government's policies and priorities demonstrate his commitment to the sector. The government's efforts to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity are expected to have a positive impact on food security in the country.
Key points
- President William Ruto emphasizes the importance of farming in his life and the government's commitment to agriculture and food systems.
- The government has registered 8.9 million farmers on its digital platform, which has improved the distribution of farm inputs and identified farmers by the commodities they produce.
- Ruto's administration is focusing on production level interventions rather than subsidizing food at the point of consumption to address food security problems.
