Kenya plans to stop rice imports by 2032

The government believes the country will produce enough rice on its own once all major irrigation projects are completed.

Kenya currently has a big gap between the rice it produces and the rice it consumes.

The country eats more than one million metric tonnes of rice every year, but local farmers only grow about 230,000 metric tonnes.

As a result, Kenya has to import rice to fill the gap, spending around $300 million annually.

Ephantus Kimotho, the principal secretary for irrigation, says ongoing irrigation projects will help Kenya grow more rice.

One of the biggest projects, the Bura irrigation scheme, is expected to save the country millions once completed. Another major project, the Thiba Dam, has already helped increase rice production from 190,000 to 270,000 metric tonnes.

The government is also working with private investors to expand farming in the Galana Kulalu area.

In April 2025, a private company will begin farming on 5,400 acres there with plans to expand irrigation projects to 200,000 acres.

One of the key investors, Al Dahra Group, has already signed an agreement to conduct technical studies before large-scale farming begins.

Kenya’s irrigation ministry says it needs about Sh50.75 billion to complete all these projects in the next financial year.

However, the government has only allocated Sh18.86 billion so far, a gap the ministry is hoping will be filled by development partners.

Some projects, like the Siyoi Muruny and Umaa Dams, were supposed to be finished this year but have been delayed due to a lack of funds.

Other dams, like Mwache Dam in Kilifi, are still under construction but will provide clean water to cities like Mombasa once completed.

Kimotho says the government is committed to expanding irrigation, improving food production, and making Kenya self-sufficient in rice.

“When Kenya Kwanza came to power, the country was producing 190,000 metric tonnes of rice, which has since increased to 270,000 metric tonnes,” he said.

The plan is to continue expanding farming so that by 2032, Kenya can grow all the rice it needs.