Rice Farming

With a population of 40 million, an annual population growth rate of 2.7% and recent rainfall deficits threatening its food security, Kenya needs to engage in crop diversification at the national level, with a focus on targeting production of staples such as rice in suitable agro-ecological systems. Such enhanced production could play a key role in ensuring that food production gaps are sealed and improving overall national food security.

Rice consumption in Kenya is increasing at a rate of 12% annually, as compared with 4% for wheat and 1% for maize. The annual consumption stands at about 300,000t against a production of 80,000t. Despite the increased consumption, there has been little growth in rice production despite the huge potential that exists in the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture developed a comprehensive National Rice Development Strategy for the period 2008-2018, with the aim of doubling current production. The Rice Promotion Unit, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), conducted a questionnaire survey in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga District, to determine whether this target was achievable by identifying some key challenges that must be solved to meet the goal. Inefficient water management methods and water-rationing programs, crop damage caused by Quelea quelea and weaver birds, and expensive inputs were identified as key bottlenecks. Almost all production activities are done manually, resulting in health hazards and higher costs of production. The rice seed industry is informal, often with poor quality seeds that result in poor crop establishment and yield.

Lack of a structured market and access to milling facilities has resulted to very low farm-gate prices. These challenges will affect all the other irrigation schemes currently in operation, as well as new ones. Producers of rain-fed rice will share some of these same challenges. Collaborative initiatives by all the stakeholders involved in every stage of the rice value chain must be emphasized. With accelerated support from local and international development partners such as JICA, rice production in Kenya could be doubled before 2018.

Conclusion
To double production of rice in Kenya by 2018, the Rice Promotion Unit (RIPU) under the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with all rice stakeholders, must come up with strategic interventions that will address the challenges affecting the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and apply the same strategic interventions to existing rice irrigation schemes, as well as to new production areas.

According to the survey results, the country has enormous opportunities in regard to enhanced rice production. With improved water resource utilization, as well as innovative management technologies, an additional 800,000 ha could be irrigated and about 400,000ha could be used for rice production. This compares with about 20,000ha currently being used for irrigated rice production. In addition, another 1.0 million ha could be used for rain-fed rice production, as compared with the current 5000 ha. It is important, however to improve the utilization of the existing potential for rain-fed rice production through the development of NERICA varieties that are adaptable to the country’s ecological zones.

Locally produced rice is of high quality compared with imported rice and is preferred by consumers. Officials from Mwea Rice Farmer’s Cooperative Society reported that there have been incidences of fraudulent repackaging of poor quality, cheap imported rice; this presents unfair competition to locally produced rice.

They therefore recommended that the Kenya’s Bureau of Standards (KEBS), being the national body mandated to oversee standardization, should enforce compliance of standards for imported and local rice.

Production should begin with market orientation, and everybody along the value chain should have a specific role; the farmer should be involved in all stages along the chain. Capacitybuilding is necessary so that farmers see farming as a business, and training of agricultural extension staff is essential.

If collaborative initiatives by all stakeholders involved in every stage of the rice value chain are emphasized, and with accelerated support from local and international development partners (e. g., JICA), rice production in Kenya could be doubled. Several technical committees established under RIPU have been created to drive the NRDS, and a number of intervention points have been identified.

Rice research in Kenya was formerly solely under the NIB, but is now also handled by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). MIAD, in collaboration with the Japanese Government (JICA), has embarked on research to create technologies that will boost yields; improve quality, disease resistance, and pest tolerance; and improve highland rice varieties.

Working with other stakeholders, RIPU has developed a road map to seed certification and multiplication as a key starting point.

To solve the problem of land subdivision, some family members are making agreements on land use that limits subdivision, with one family member doing the farming each season and then sharing the products and proceeds in a rotational manner.

Pesticides continue to be a significant and growing component of modern farming technology. The relative importance of pesticides has increased, despite the availability of alternatives to chemical pest control. To reduce the contamination of water with chemicals, water delivery canals will need to be redesigned to separate unused and used water for treatment and recycling. This will also aid in wateruse efficiency and reduced environmental contamination. Designated water treatment and delivery systems for domestic water should be established to supply water to all households.

Increased production of rice will ensure food security and save much-needed foreign exchange. Local rice production, processing, and marketing will improve the livelihoods of rural and urban populations by creating employment, opportunities for private investment, and income for small-scale farmers.