Government actions that matter most to farmers in Kenya

Farmers in Kenya are calling for targeted government interventions to boost productivity and lower the cost of farming, according to a March 2026 survey.

The majority of respondents, 78 per cent, identified subsidised fertiliser as the most impactful support, underscoring the burden of high input costs.

Another 66 per cent pointed to the need for the provision of certified seeds to improve yields and resilience.

Extension services ranked lower at 29 per cent, suggesting gaps in access to technical knowledge and advisory support.

Commodity price support was cited by 18 per cent, reflecting concerns over unstable market returns. Water supply, at 11 per cent, and tractor services at 10 per cent, highlight infrastructure and mechanisation challenges facing smallholder farmers.

Only 8 per cent prioritised value addition initiatives, indicating that immediate production needs outweigh downstream processing.

The findings suggest farmers are primarily focused on affordability and access to basic inputs as key drivers of agricultural growth and food security.