President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the county will discontinue the importation of food after a period of 10 years.
The President was speaking in Nanyuki on Wednesday, January 10, while laying a foundation stone for Nanyuki Affordable Housing Project.
What is Kenya’s import cost?
Ruto said that it is time for Kenya to do away with food importation and become a food secure country, channelling the importation cost to other developments projects.
The Head of State argued that the Country uses a whopping KSh 500 billion yearly for food importation, adding that his administration is working hard to reduce the amount.
“We are spending almost KSh 500 billion every year to import food from other countries. In 5 years, we want to reduce the margin from KSh 500 billion to KSh 250 billion and in 10 years, we will no be longer importing any food,” said Ruto.
Ruto reiterated the importance of subsidising production through subsidised fertiliser, which has helped farmers improve their production.
Ruto’s plan to increase food production
Early this year, the president said there will be an additional 40% in terms of harvests compared to the previous year.
“The only way to lower the cost of living and increase food production is to help farmers to produce more food and get rid of famine.
“We reduced fertiliser prices and one bag which was costing KSh 7,000 is now going for KSh 2,500. We are so lucky that this year we received 40% more harvest than the last year,” he said.
At the same time, Ruto promised to unlock the flow of payments for dairy farmers, which have been low year in year out.
Kenya received KSh 37 billion support from the government of India for mechanization of production across the country.
He said that his government through the Kenya Cooperative Creameries would do away with cartels so that milk farmers could receive their payments within 15 days.
“We agreed to work together with India to help in food production and Indian government released KSh 37 billion to us. We will use the money for the improvement of the dairy industry to help KCC reduce costs and be much more efficient,” he noted.