The Kenyan government’s e-voucher registration initiative has reached 6.58 million farmers, a milestone in its ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on food imports. According to the government’s mid-term review, the e-voucher system has been instrumental in implementing the fertilizer subsidy program, which has significantly increased maize production and supported farmers across the country.
The fertilizer subsidy initiative, anchored on the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management System (KIAMS), has issued 53.6 million e-vouchers to registered farmers. As a result, maize production has surged from 61.7 million 50kg bags in 2022 to an expected 85.7 million bags in 2025. This 39% increase has helped reduce maize imports by 67% over the past two years, further strengthening Kenya’s food security.
To protect farmers from fluctuating market prices, the government has extended the policy of setting minimum buying prices beyond tea to include five other value chains. The most recent addition is wheat, for which the minimum price has been set at Ksh 5,300 per 90kg bag.
Kenya’s push for enhanced agricultural productivity is also evident in its renewed support for cash crops. The area under coffee cultivation has expanded to 115,500 hectares, up from 109,385 hectares in 2022. Additionally, 49,000 coffee seedlings have been distributed to farmers in Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, and Kisumu counties, further strengthening the coffee sector.
In the tea industry, policy reforms have spurred a remarkable 189.7% increase in the value of value-added tea. The revenue from processed tea has grown from Ksh 3.5 billion to Ksh 10.14 billion in just two years, as the government focuses on empowering MSMEs in specialty tea production. Plans are underway to establish more tea incubation centers to train small businesses on specialty tea processing and value addition, ensuring a more competitive and profitable industry.
Through these strategic interventions, Kenya continues to prioritize agricultural development as a means to boost food security, support farmers, and enhance economic growth. The e-voucher system has proven to be a crucial tool in achieving these goals, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted government policies in transforming the agricultural sector.
