In the heart of Kenya’s rice-growing regions, a significant transformation is underway as the government partners with KilMOL, a leading agricultural machinery firm, to mechanise rice farming. This initiative is poised to tackle the country’s alarming rice deficit, which currently stands at 75 percent, costing taxpayers a staggering Sh42 billion annually. The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) aims to ramp up rice production from 250,000 tonnes to an ambitious 1.2 million tonnes, addressing the increasing domestic demand for rice.
During a recent demonstration at the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County, agricultural engineer Simon Mutua highlighted the introduction of advanced rice transplanters—both six-row and four-row models—designed to enhance efficiency and reduce the costs associated with manual planting. These machines, already in use at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga County, have led to remarkable increases in yield, with farmers reporting production boosts from 25 bags to 40 bags per acre. Mutua attributes this success to the precision of the machinery, which minimizes root disturbance and ensures optimal planting conditions.
The economic benefits of mechanisation are clear. A four-row transplanter consumes only four litres of petrol per acre, costing approximately Sh700, compared to the Sh9,000 required for traditional manual planting involving up to 18 workers. This shift not only increases productivity but also addresses the declining interest in manual labour among younger generations, many of whom find the work too strenuous. With the average age of rice farmers nearing 60, mechanised planting offers a sustainable solution to the labour shortage facing the sector.
The initiative aligns with successful mechanisation efforts seen in countries like Pakistan, Japan, and India, where similar technologies have significantly boosted rice production. To facilitate the adoption of these advancements, the NIA has designated spaces within irrigation schemes for demonstrations and training, with KilMOL already reaching out to 20,000 farmers and aiming to engage an additional 10,000 by year-end.
Local farmers, such as Japheth Asugo from Ahero, express optimism about the new machinery, noting its cost-effectiveness and potential to reignite interest in rice farming, a crucial livelihood in the region. Asugo urges the Ministry of Agriculture to expand access to these technologies, emphasizing their role in achieving rice self-sufficiency for the country.
The broader implications of this mechanisation initiative extend beyond mere productivity gains. Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President of Heifer International Africa Programmes, underscores the importance of equipping smallholder farmers, who constitute the backbone of Africa’s food systems, with the necessary tools for success. With Africa lagging in agricultural mechanisation—reportedly having only 13 tractors per 100 square kilometres of arable land compared to the global average of 200—there is a pressing need for innovative financing and support to empower these farming communities.
As mechanisation emerges as a transformative force in Africa’s agricultural landscape, the journey ahead will require overcoming significant hurdles. However, the promise of increased productivity, job creation, and enhanced livelihoods for young people in agriculture is a compelling vision that could reshape the future of rice farming in Kenya and beyond.
