Government addresses Mwea farmers’ concerns over imported rice

The government has stepped in to address the concerns raised by rice farmers from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme over the effects of imported rice on the sales of locally grown produce.

During a high-level meeting held on Thursday at the offices of the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society, key stakeholders reached a consensus on measures aimed at protecting farmers from financial losses.

To support the livelihoods of over 8,500 rice farmers in Kirinyaga and neighboring counties, it was agreed that the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) would purchase more than 5,000 metric tonnes of rice cultivated locally, with a value estimated at around Sh500 million.

It was also confirmed that the Cooperative will receive full payment for deliveries within one month.

"The Cooperative will be paid in full within one month after delivery, marking a major improvement from previous delays that hindered farmers’ operations and cash flow," said Bruno Linyiru, Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), in a statement.

This urgent meeting was convened following farmers’ demands for a temporary halt on rice imports to allow time for clearing existing local stock.

Farmers had protested against unchecked rice imports, claiming these were negatively impacting their ability to sell last season’s harvest and disrupting market stability.

KNTC reiterated its dedication to backing local farmers and enhancing agricultural value chains by consistently purchasing locally grown rice.

Farmers, in turn, welcomed the government’s investments in infrastructure, highlighting the Thiba Dam, which has facilitated year-round farming and boosted productivity.