Rice farming has taken a promising turn in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu counties with the introduction of a portable rice milling machine. This innovative addition is set to benefit small-scale rice farmers who, until now, have been burdened by costly travel to distant milling centers and other logistical challenges. The new machine, provided through a partnership with Kilimo Trust, offers a practical, localized solution that brings the rice milling process directly to the farmers, improving convenience, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall value of their produce.
For Adelina Munywa, a farmer from Mitunguu in Meru County, the portable rice mill has been a significant development. “We used to take our rice to Mwea, which is about 130 kilometers away,” she explains. “Transport costs were high, and the millers would also retain the byproducts like bran and husks, which we could have used.” By contrast, the portable milling machine enables farmers like Munywa to mill their rice locally, saving time and money while also retaining all byproducts for additional uses.
New farmers like Joel-Mark Kiania, who is growing rice for the first time in Chiakariga, Tharaka Nithi, have also welcomed the portable mill. Kiania, who experimented with a small rice crop this season, was initially unsure about how to handle his modest harvest. “I planted a small trial crop to see if rice farming would work for me,” Kiania said. “The harvest was good, but I was concerned about where to mill such a small quantity. Now, the machine can come directly to us, even for smaller quantities, which is a huge relief.”
A Game-Changer for Small-Scale Farmers
Kilimo Trust program officer Andrew Kasera highlights how the portable milling machine transforms rice production for small-scale farmers. The machine breaks down the milling process into two stages: the first stage produces brown rice and husks, while the second produces white rice and bran. This approach not only ensures a high-quality final product but also allows farmers to retain valuable byproducts. “This significantly reduces post-harvest losses and increases farmers’ earnings,” Kasera notes.
For regions like Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu, where rice farming is still relatively new, access to milling infrastructure has been a major obstacle. Most millers operate on a larger scale, and farmers with small harvests often find it financially unsustainable to transport their rice to distant mills. Additionally, the cost of acquiring traditional rice milling machines is prohibitive, creating hesitation among entrepreneurs to invest in such equipment without a guaranteed supply of rice.
To tackle these barriers, Kilimo Trust’s portable milling solution offers an affordable and accessible option for small-scale farmers. “Their smaller, portable milling machines offer a practical and cost-effective solution, allowing us to provide immediate support and encourage the growth of rice farming in our communities,” Kasera said. Farmers can either purchase the machines individually or jointly, or they can rent them after harvesting.
Closing Kenya’s Rice Deficit Gap
Rice is a staple food in Kenya, with national consumption currently estimated at over one million tonnes annually. However, domestic production is far from meeting this demand. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Kenya’s rice production stands at approximately 230,000 tonnes per year, leaving a deficit that the country bridges through costly imports. In 2023 alone, Kenya imported 937,098.5 tonnes of rice, costing the nation about KSh 54.7 billion.
For small-scale farmers in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu, the portable milling machines are not just a convenience they represent a pathway to help reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported rice by empowering local production. By addressing infrastructure gaps and reducing milling costs, the machines make rice farming more viable for these regions, supporting the government’s agenda of boosting food security and self-sufficiency.
As the availability of portable milling machines expands, local rice production is likely to increase, which could eventually lessen Kenya’s dependence on imports. Farmers are optimistic that, with this new access to processing technology, rice farming will become a profitable and sustainable venture, bringing them a step closer to meeting the country’s growing demand for rice.
