Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting significant reforms in Kenya’s agricultural sector, emphasizing the need for comprehensive changes to improve food production and farmers’ income. In a recent consultative meeting hosted at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua engaged with key stakeholders, including Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya and Dr. Andrew Karanja, to discuss the ongoing reforms in the tea and coffee sub-sectors.
The Deputy President’s remarks were a clear endorsement of the government’s strategic plan to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure that the benefits of reform reach the farmers. He stressed that the focus of these reforms should be on the welfare of the farmers, rather than on bureaucratic inefficiencies or mismanagement.
Gachagua emphasized the need for the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) to adopt leadership practices that are conducive to reducing production costs and increasing farmer benefits. He criticized the extravagance of some directors and called for a shift towards farmer-centered reforms. “We are spending too much money on production to the detriment of the farmer. The directors must stop being extravagant. As government, we are willing to support you to bring stability in the KTDA. The new board must be reformist to the benefit of the farmers,” he asserted.
In addition to addressing the leadership of KTDA, Gachagua highlighted the importance of increasing the production of orthodox tea, which commands a higher price in the market. This move is aimed at boosting the sector’s profitability and ensuring that Kenyan tea remains competitive globally.
Turning to the coffee sub-sector, Gachagua urged CS Karanja to ensure that farmers have access to government-subsidized fertilizers, which are crucial for increasing coffee production. He acknowledged the historical challenges faced by the coffee industry, including farmer frustrations, poor management of cooperative societies, and exploitation by private sector players. The Deputy President underscored the government’s plan to reverse the decline in coffee production, which has plummeted due to these issues, and to motivate farmers to return to coffee cultivation.
“The coffee sector has faced perennial problems for almost two decades, including exploitation and mismanagement. We are working on increased production, improved pricing, and motivating farmers back to the farming practice,” Gachagua stated. He also addressed the issues of financial mismanagement within cooperative societies, where farmers have been shortchanged due to unauthorized borrowings by officials.
The Deputy President’s meeting was not only a platform for discussing the challenges and solutions for the tea and coffee sectors but also an opportunity to reaffirm the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to ensuring food security. Gachagua called on legislators to support the government’s agricultural agenda by enacting supportive laws and policies.
Present at the meeting were key figures including Senate Committee Chairperson on Agriculture, Kamau Murango, and Borabu MP Patrick Osero, along with Principal Secretaries from various state departments. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort required to achieve the government’s agricultural reform goals.
In line with an Executive Order from President William Ruto last year, Deputy President Gachagua has been tasked with overseeing crucial reforms in key agricultural sub-sectors, particularly coffee, tea, and dairy. The reforms are expected to bring about significant changes in the sector, with a strong focus on benefiting the farmers and enhancing the overall productivity and sustainability of Kenya’s agricultural industry.
As Kenya continues to navigate the challenges of food security and agricultural development, Gachagua’s support and the collaborative efforts of the involved stakeholders are seen as pivotal in driving the country towards achieving its agricultural goals.
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