Kenya poised for historic maize harvest as Government moves to strengthen food security

Kenya is set to reap a record maize harvest of 70 million (90kg) bags in 2025, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced.

This marks a steady rise from 67 million bags in 2024 and more than double the 34.3 million bags recorded in 2022, signaling a major breakthrough in the country’s quest for food security. To stabilise markets and secure national food stocks, the government plans to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve by buying maize directly from farmers.

According to CS Kagwe, the move will cushion farmers with a guaranteed market while protecting households from future food shocks.

“Our national food security has remained stable, with improved availability and reduced prices for staple foods. By replenishing the reserves, we are ensuring that farmers benefit from their hard work while safeguarding Kenyans from future crises,” said Kagwe.

Kagwe attributed the bumper harvest to the government’s fertiliser subsidy programme, which has delivered 21.3 million bags of fertiliser worth Ksh. 53.25 billion, saving farmers an estimated Ksh. 105 billion. The price of a 50kg bag of fertiliser has dropped by up to 67%, spurring higher productivity.

For the 2025 long rains season alone, 6.9 million bags were distributed, with plans to scale up to 12.5 million subsidised bags in 2026, covering all 1,450 wards.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 A.S.K. Central Kenya National Show at Kabiruini Showgrounds in Nyeri, Kagwe stressed the government’s commitment to sustainable, climate-smart farming. He urged farmers to embrace soil conservation through tree planting on steep slopes and to safeguard river ecosystems by using only approved pesticides.

“Climate-smart agriculture calls for responsible stewardship of our natural resources. It also means embracing global standards. Kenya will comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to ensure our produce remains competitive internationally,” Kagwe said.

Beyond maize, the CS outlined reforms across the agricultural sector:

 •  Tea: Expansion into the U.S. market following Kagwe’s trade mission and survey in America.

 •  Coffee: Introduction of an online trading platform for transparency, local packaging for value addition, and full traceability to meet EU regulations.

 •  Dairy: Implementation of quality-based milk pricing, supported by the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management System for vaccination, AI, and input services. Milk coolers are also being distributed nationwide, alongside feedstock production through the Land Commercialization Initiative.

•  Horticulture: Enhanced compliance with EU pest-control regulations, negotiations to lower export duties, and expanded cargo flight capacity for exports.

 •  Avocado: Scale-up of seedling distribution and stricter phytosanitary compliance to access new global markets.

 •  Nuts and Macadamia: Distribution of improved seedlings, enforcement of the ban on raw in-shell exports, and strengthened extension services.

CS Kagwe said these efforts mark a new chapter in Kenya’s agricultural transformation, anchored on boosting yields, safeguarding food security, and expanding access to global markets.

“With these measures, we are not just producing more—we are producing smarter, protecting our environment, and giving farmers the tools to thrive in local and international markets,” he said.