In July 2018, in his address to the Ugandan Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out 10 guiding principles for India’s engagement with Africa in the 21st century. One of them relates to India’s commitment to forge a strong partnership for developing Africa’s agriculture.
India’s commitment has translated into multiple agri-related initiatives piloted across Africa. More than $6 billion (Sh88.5 billion) in concessional loans have been extended to our partners in Africa for agriculture and allied sectors.
Under such concessional financing facilities, varied projects have been executed including the supply of agricultural machinery and equipment like tractors, harvesters, food processing plants and irrigation networks. India has also extended support for the development of the cotton and textile sector for African countries, including Kenya through the upgradation of facilities and technical assistance.
With Kenya, cooperation in agriculture has been a sector of abiding interest in our growing bilateral partnership. Indian companies are currently engaged as suppliers of fertilisers, seeds, farm equipment and foodgrains to the Kenyan market. Similarly, since September 2023, Kenyan avocados have been given access to the Indian market with a growing consumer interest in this fruit.
The bilateral agenda of strengthening public and private partnerships in agriculture found resonance and traction during the state visit of President William Ruto to India in December last year. It got a fillip through India’s commitment to extend $250 million (Sh32.5 billion) Line of Credit to the government of Kenya for its agriculture mechanisation and modernisation initiatives.
This week, an agro-business delegation representing the three main business Chambers of India is touring Kenya to explore collaborative synergies aligned with the priorities of the Kenyan government. The companies represent a rich cross-section of the agriculture value chain, including seeds, technology, equipment, fertilisers, food processing and agri warehousing, among others.
As a country that is still substantially agrarian and feeds a population of more than 1.4 billion people, India recognises the salience of agriculture in realising food and nutrition security and all-round sustainable development. The agriculture sector accounts for around 14 percent of India’s GDP and is the largest employment provider to over half the total workforce.
With food grain production rising from 50 million tonnes in 1950 to nearly 330 million tonnes in 2022-23, India has navigated the journey from being a food-deficit nation to a self-sufficient, food-producing country. In fact, India is a net food exporter today, being among the top ten exporters of agricultural products in the world. India is the world's largest producer of milk, second largest producer of wheat and rice, and among the largest producers of pulses, fruits and vegetables.
Domestically, India has developed large and resilient food stocks as a vital buffer in meeting the food security needs of its vast population. It was found to be vital in navigating the uncertainties arising from the Covid pandemic and global supply chain disruptions arising out of geopolitical tensions. During this critical period, India provided foodgrains to over 30 countries.
There is a growing realisation world over that agricultural activity would need to be managed with long-term planning given the challenges posed by climate change, which requires judicious utilisation of scarce resources such as water and land.
India has also directed renewed policy attention on cultivation, production and marketing of millets, which are nutrition-rich and climate-friendly alternatives, especially for developing countries.
In 2023, India marked the United Nations designated 'International Year of Millets' with a series of initiatives, including hosting the Global Millets (Shree Anna) International Conference on March 18-19, 2023, in New Delhi. India can work with Kenya and other partners to enhance millets in our food baskets to support the quest for food and nutrition security in a sustainable manner.
Considering India and Kenya’s similar development trajectories and complementary priorities, there are opportunities for stepping up cooperation in agriculture production, food processing and allied fields.
Indian businesses and agri-institutions can play a supporting role in Kenya’s aim to scale up agricultural production, eliminate poverty, strengthen the value-added food processing industry and generate jobs.
India’s partnership with Kenya can be a model for Global South to fulfil the twin goals of achieving food security for all and eradicating poverty. A vibrant agriculture sector with full public and private participation and strong international partnerships is crucial in this endeavour and India will be an enduring partner for forging mutually beneficial ties with Kenya.
Secretary (Economic Relations) India Ministry of External Affairs