Nairobi – The Kenyan government is set to allocate more than US$46 million to subsidize the purchase of approximately 40 million kilograms of certified seeds, as part of efforts to help farmers restore agricultural production following prolonged periods of drought. According to Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mutahi Kagwe, the initiative will provide farmers with a 50% subsidy on certified seed prices, reducing the cost from KSh 300 to KSh 150 per kilogram (approximately €1). The intervention is aimed at lowering farmers’ production costs, accelerating the recovery of agricultural output after the drought, and enhancing Kenya’s food security. Alongside the seed subsidy, the government is also prioritizing investments in irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and climate-smart farming practices to strengthen the resilience of agricultural production to climate-related risks. In July, the government announced an allocation of KSh 190 billion for irrigation development under the National Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan (NISA) 2026–2030. The agricultural sector remains a key pillar of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 33% of GDP and employing nearly 40% of the country’s workforce, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (ICE NAIROBI)

Fonte notizia: Info Africa