Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh has underscored the central role of agriculture in Kenya’s economy, describing the sector as the backbone of the country.

Speaking on the importance of agriculture, Dr. Ronoh said the sector remains critical to Kenya’s economic development, food security and livelihoods, highlighting the need for continued investment and transformation across the agricultural value chain.

Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors of Kenya’s economy. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, agriculture, forestry and fishing contributed 23.2 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product in 2025, making it one of the largest contributors to the national economy. The sector also grew by 3.1 per cent during the year.

The figures underline the significance of agriculture not only to farmers but also to millions of Kenyans whose livelihoods are connected directly or indirectly to farming, livestock, fisheries, agro-processing, transportation and agricultural trade.

Agriculture and Kenya’s Economy

Agriculture supports a wide range of economic activities across the country.

From small-scale farmers growing maize, vegetables, fruits and other food crops to large-scale producers involved in tea, coffee, horticulture and livestock, the sector provides income and employment to communities across Kenya.

The sector also supplies raw materials to industries, supports exports and contributes to government revenue through various economic activities.

Kenya's agricultural exports include tea, coffee, horticultural products and floriculture, which remain important sources of foreign exchange. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics has described agriculture as a major source of livelihoods and a critical contributor to food and nutrition security.

For a country with a large rural population, developments in agriculture have a direct impact on household incomes and living standards.

When farmers receive good prices for their produce and have access to affordable inputs and reliable markets, the benefits can extend beyond individual farms to traders, transporters, processors and other businesses.

Food Security

One of the most important roles of agriculture is ensuring that Kenyans have adequate food.

Food production is closely linked to national security because shortages can lead to increased dependence on imports and higher food prices.

The government has therefore continued to focus on increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening food security.

In the 2026/2027 financial year, the government allocated KSh64 billion to the agriculture sector, with the funds intended to support agricultural transformation, productivity and national food security.

Government figures presented during the 2026/2027 Budget Statement also indicated that maize production increased from 34 million bags in 2022 to 67 million bags in 2025, while maize imports declined from 9.9 million bags to 3.3 million bags over the same period.

These figures form part of the government's broader argument that increasing local production is important in reducing reliance on imported food.

Supporting Farmers

For agricultural transformation to succeed, farmers require access to affordable inputs, financing, extension services, technology and reliable markets.

One of the government's current interventions is the fertiliser subsidy programme.

On September 8, 2026, Dr. Ronoh led the flagging off of 99,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser at the Port of Mombasa for distribution to farmers across the country. The ministry said farmers would access the fertiliser at KSh2,000 for a 50-kilogramme bag.

Such interventions are aimed at reducing production costs and encouraging farmers to increase productivity.

However, the success of agricultural programmes also depends on efficient distribution systems, timely delivery of inputs and farmers' access to information on how best to use them.

Moving Beyond Traditional Farming

The agricultural sector is also undergoing technological transformation.

Modern agriculture increasingly involves digital platforms, precision farming, improved irrigation systems, data analysis, mechanisation and climate-smart farming practices.

The State Department for Agriculture has identified modernisation, market access, research and innovation as important components of developing a resilient and productive agricultural sector.

Dr. Ronoh has also been involved in promoting technology-driven agriculture.

In May 2026, he presided over a curtain raiser for Agritec Africa, a conference that focused on technologies including precision farming, data-driven decision-making, advanced irrigation and smart farming tools.

The growing use of technology could help farmers improve productivity while reducing costs and responding to changing weather conditions.

Climate Change Challenge

Kenya's agricultural sector remains vulnerable to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.

Drought, excessive rainfall, crop diseases and changing weather patterns can have significant consequences for farmers and food production.

In July 2026, Dr. Ronoh toured Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties to assess crop failures affecting maize farmers amid drought conditions. The ministry said the assessment was intended to provide information that could guide government mitigation measures.

Such challenges demonstrate why farmers require not only inputs but also access to climate information, crop insurance, irrigation and technologies that can make agricultural production more resilient.

Tea and High-Value Crops

Tea remains particularly important in Kenya's agricultural economy and is a major source of income for farming communities, especially in the highlands.

The government has been pursuing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, value addition, marketing and returns to farmers.

In August 2026, Dr. Ronoh engaged tea farmers and stakeholders in Bomet County on tea-sector reforms and avocado value-chain development. The government also announced a KSh51.9 million grant to upgrade Kapkoros Tea Factory and improve tea quality and competitiveness.

The engagement also focused on avocado production, market access and opportunities for farmers to diversify into high-value crops.

For agricultural transformation to benefit farmers, increased production must be accompanied by better markets and value addition.

Value Addition

Value addition remains an important component of Kenya's agricultural strategy.

Instead of exporting raw agricultural products, processing them locally can create additional economic opportunities and potentially increase farmers' earnings.

In the tea industry, for example, reforms have focused on modernising factories, improving quality and expanding direct marketing.

The Ministry of Agriculture says current tea reforms include efforts to reduce production costs, modernise factory equipment, promote value addition, embrace digitalisation and strengthen direct tea marketing.

Value addition can also create employment in processing, packaging, transportation and distribution.

Importance of Agricultural Data

Reliable agricultural data is another important part of transforming the sector.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is currently conducting the 2025/26 Kenya Census of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

The census is collecting information on land use, crop production, livestock, fisheries, labour and other agricultural inputs.

The information is expected to provide a more comprehensive picture of Kenya's agricultural sector and support policy formulation, resource allocation and monitoring of agricultural programmes.

Accurate information can help policymakers understand where agricultural production is concentrated, what challenges farmers face and where investments are required.

The Future of Agriculture

As Kenya looks toward the future, agriculture is expected to remain central to discussions about economic development.

The sector has the potential to contribute not only to food security but also to employment, exports, manufacturing and rural development.

However, farmers continue to face challenges including input costs, market access, climate-related risks, limited financing and post-harvest losses.

Addressing these challenges will require cooperation between national and county governments, farmers, private investors, financial institutions, researchers and other stakeholders.

Agricultural transformation therefore goes beyond simply increasing production. It also requires creating systems that enable farmers to earn better incomes from what they produce.

Agriculture and the Kenyan Household

The importance of agriculture can also be seen at the household level.

For millions of families, farming provides food, income and a source of economic security.

Small-scale farmers in particular play an important role in supplying food to local markets.

When agricultural production improves, local economies can benefit as farmers spend their earnings on education, housing, transport, healthcare and other goods and services.

This creates a multiplier effect in rural communities.

For this reason, policies targeting farmers can have wider economic consequences beyond the agricultural sector itself.

A Sector With Significant Potential

Dr. Ronoh's description of agriculture as the backbone of Kenya reflects the sector's continuing importance to the country's economy.

Official statistics show that agriculture remains a major contributor to GDP, while government programmes continue to focus on food security, productivity, affordable inputs, technology, value addition and market access.

The challenge now is ensuring that these interventions translate into tangible benefits for farmers.

That means improving productivity while also addressing the costs of production, strengthening markets, reducing post-harvest losses and supporting farmers to adapt to climate change.

It also means encouraging young people to view agriculture not only as traditional farming but as a modern business opportunity involving technology, processing, logistics, research and innovation.

With the right investments and policies, agriculture can continue playing a central role in Kenya's economic development.

As Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh puts it, agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya — a sector whose performance affects food on the table, household incomes, rural livelihoods, industrial activity and the wider national economy.