Kenya may soon start exporting food owing to the increase in production, President William Ruto has said.
He said the government has put in place a solid plan that will see the country produce more than it consumes noting that this year’s production will more than double.
“This will cater for our consumption and also help bring down the cost of food,” he said.
The President credited the increased production to the government’s deliberate plan to subsidise production.
But even with the enhanced production, the President maintained that more needs to be done.
“We are yet to fully exploit our country’s potential to produce food. That is where our focus lies now," he said.
The government will intensify the provision of extension services besides boosting access to affordable farm inputs, Ruto revealed.
“We will also employ the last mile initiative to cut on costs and time spent by farmers in accessing inputs such as seeds and fertilisers.”
Ruto was speaking on Tuesday during the funeral service of the Late David Chepkwony, the husband to Njoro MP Charity Kathambi held at Kimugul, Nakuru county.
In attendance were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet secretaries, governors Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Paul Otuoma (Busia), MPs, among others.
The Head of State argued that it was in his administration’s The Plan that Kenya will progressively increase production per acre.
Besides subsidising production, Ruto pointed out that the government, via the Agricultural Finance Corporation, will also fund farmers to buy inputs.
“This is how we can sufficiently feed ourselves, sell the surplus and generate more income from farming.”
He described Chepkwony as a modest yet a hardworking and helpful man.
“He was progressive and driven by a genuine concern for the community."
On his part, Gachagua asked leaders to unite and remain focused in serving the people.
“We have managed to tackle the high food prices. Let us now direct our energy on other pressing issues so that we can all move forward,” he added.