Rice farmers in 13 counties across the country are set to benefit from a Sh700 million certified rice seeds programme that seeks to boost production.
The five-year programme will be undertaken by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KARLO) and Korea Partnership for Innovation Agriculture (KOPIA).
The initiative seeks to enhance the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality seeds
Speaking during the launch of the programme at the KALRO branch at Kimbimbi in Mwea constituency, KARLO director general Eliud Kireger said the programme will entail enlisting farmers to produce the certified seeds which will then be made available to other growers.
He said the programme will see the production of over 800 000 metric tonnes of rice seed in five years which will help the country in increasing the production of rice by over 25 per cent every year.
"The consumption of rice in the country has increased to between 950 and 1 million metric tonnes with a local production of only 250 metric tonnes which forces the country to import 80 per cent at a cost of Sh34 billion per year to meet the demand,” he said.
KOPIA country director Ji Gang Kim noted that apart from providing sustainable and certified seed, the programme will also provide mechanisation for planting, weeding and drying of the rice to reduce the cost of production and post-harvest losses.
Kim pointed out that in Kenya drying is done on the roads in open sun which leads to losses of up to 40 per cent of the harvests while still posing a health hazard.
Antony Mugambi, the director of Kilimo Trust Kenya said the project will ensure there is production of climate-resilient hybrid seeds.
Mugambi added that the programme is aimed at ensuring rice farming is sustainable and climate-smart in a bid to reduce rice imports.