Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture to assess the progress of ongoing reforms in the country’s agricultural value chains. The meeting, held at his Karen residence, was part of the government’s broader agenda to revitalise Kenya’s agricultural sector in line with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
During the session, the officials reviewed the transformation initiatives targeting several key agricultural sub-sectors, including tea, coffee, rice, sugar, dairy, horticulture, nuts, cotton, and edible oils. These sectors are critical to ensuring national food security, boosting exports, and creating sustainable livelihoods for millions of Kenyan farmers.
The Deputy President, who has been actively supervising the implementation of these reforms, emphasized the importance of efficiency and transparency in the value chain overhaul. He reiterated that agriculture remains central to the country’s economic development and urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to address systemic challenges that have long hindered sector growth.
Senior advisors to the President were also present at the meeting, underscoring the high-level commitment of the Kenya Kwanza administration to agricultural transformation. The discussion focused on improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, ensuring fair returns for farmers, and encouraging value addition across the board.
The government is prioritising the revival and modernisation of processing facilities, enhancing access to inputs and extension services, and facilitating better market linkages for farmers. These measures aim to boost incomes at the grassroots level and promote inclusive economic growth.
The BETA framework, championed by President William Ruto’s administration, places agriculture at the heart of Kenya’s development strategy. By empowering farmers and strengthening agricultural value chains, the initiative seeks to reduce poverty, lower the cost of living, and ensure long-term food sufficiency.
As the reforms gather momentum, the Deputy President affirmed the government’s commitment to sustained support and oversight, promising that the transformation of Kenya’s agriculture sector will remain a top priority in the coming years.
