Paddy rice production in Kenya has doubled over the past six years, from 116,000 metric tons in 2018 to 244,000 metric tons in 2023.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, despite the impressive growth the national rice self-sufficiency rate is still below 20 percent.
In recent years, Kenya has seen a shift towards promoting and encouraging the cultivation of rice, especially upland in counties such as Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi and also Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, and Kajiado, with the aim to address food shortages and reduce reliance on rice imports. Kenya significantly imports rice to meet its high demand, importing approximately 937,098 metric tonnes in 2023, valued at Sh54.7 billion, while Africa imports over USD 6 million worth of rice annually Africa at the same time is facing a rapidly escalating nutrition crisis, with nearly 31 percent of children under 4 stunted and 40 percent of women suffering from iron deficiency anemia.
Researchers are now pushing for rice value addition to improve nutrition, promote food security, and reduce Africa's rice import bill.
