TAVETA, Taita Taveta County – Rice farmers in Mboghoni ward, within Taveta sub-county, are set to experience a significant boost in their earnings following the introduction of mobile milling machines. The initiative, aimed at enhancing post-harvest processing of rice, promises to potentially double the price farmers receive per kilogram of rice.
According to Kenya News Agency, food security advisor to the president, who spoke during the commissioning and testing phase of one such machine in Mboghoni, these mobile units are expected to revolutionize the way rice is processed in the county. With an operational capacity of processing 1.5 tonnes per hour, these machines are poised to address the critical bottleneck in the rice value-addition chain, thereby preventing farmers from selling their produce at reduced prices due to lack of access to processing facilities.
For years, rice farmers in Taveta have faced challenges in marketing their produce, often selling unprocessed rice to brokers at about Sh40 per kilo. These brokers then process the rice in Tanzania, after which it is imported back into Kenya at prices exceeding Sh100 per kilo. The introduction of mobile milling machines is a strategic move to counteract this cycle, enabling farmers to process their rice locally and sell it at competitive market rates.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the national and county governments to revamp the agricultural sector in Taita Taveta. This includes equipment provision, farmer training, and efforts to increase rice production area from the current 14,000 acres to an ambitious 36,000 acres. Such measures aim to support sustainable market growth and ensure farmers benefit directly from their labor.
Christine Kilalo, Deputy Governor of Taita Taveta County, emphasized the administration’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships to protect farmers and bolster the local economy. The plan also includes measures to build resilient production and market chains that are free from cartels, minimize post-harvest losses, and enhance farmers’ income.
In light of data indicating that Kenya imports 84 percent of its rice, costing approximately $275 million annually, the national government’s strategy to empower local farmers and reduce reliance on imports is timely. By increasing local rice production and improving processing capabilities, the government aims to narrow the gap in the import/export ratio, thereby bolstering the agricultural sector’s contribution to the economy.