EDITORIAL: Time to cut food imports and back local farmers

KENYA’S growing dependence on food imports is both an economic strain and a warning sign.

A country endowed with fertile land, diverse climates and a large agricultural workforce should not be spending billions annually to feed itself.

Reversing this trend demands more than policy rhetoric; it requires deliberate, sustained action to unlock local production potential.

At the heart of the problem are structural challenges that continue to undermine farmers. High input costs. From fertiliser to certified seeds, they remain prohibitive, particularly for smallholders who produce the bulk of the country’s food.

Erratic weather patterns, driven by climate change, have further complicated planning, leaving farmers exposed to droughts and floods with limited insurance or irrigation support.

Equally crippling is the lack of affordable credit. Many farmers operate informally and cannot access financing to invest in modern technologies, mechanisation or storage.

Without these, productivity remains low and post-harvest losses, estimated to be as high as 30 per cent in some value chains, continue to erode incomes and national food supply.

Market inefficiencies also play a role. Farmers often face exploitation by middlemen due to poor infrastructure and limited access to reliable markets.

The absence of structured aggregation and pricing systems discourages production, as farmers cannot predict returns.

To cut imports, Kenya must prioritise investment in irrigation to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture.

Strengthening extension services will ensure farmers adopt modern, climate-smart practices. Subsidies, if well-targeted and transparent, can ease the burden of inputs while boosting yields.

Just as critical is fixing the value chain, from storage and transport to market access, so that farmers earn fairly and waste is minimised.

Empowering cooperatives and leveraging digital platforms can connect producers directly to buyers.

Food security is not merely about production; it is about resilience, efficiency and fairness. With the right reforms, Kenya can feed itself and even export. The opportunity is clear; what remains is the political will to act.