Kenya to cut down Rice imports following better rice production

Kenya this year will be able to cut rice imports by 36 percent following above-average local production of rice. The country’s estimated production of 240,000 tonnes of rice, is almost double the output in the previous year thanks to good crop husbandry and expansion of the crop to regions.

Kenya imports 250,000 tonnes of rice annually to bridge the local deficit. According to State data, rice consumption has been climbing by 10 per cent yearly and currently it is projected at 400,000 tonne. Mwea I scheme accounts for 80 percent of Kenya’s rice production. Production at the Mwea Irrigation fell drastically in 2016 when the scheme witnessed one of the worst droughts. However the production picked up later, as a result of government initiatives. Improved production has seen the price of the commodity fall to Sh130 currently from a high of Sh160 previously. Kenya is aggressively pursuing plans to expand the area.