The government in partnership with Korea are targeting to increase rice production in the country in order to meet the local demand and enhance food security.
Through a partnership between the Kenya Agricultural And Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA), the two countries have embarked on two projects aimed at enhancing Rice production to address country’s 80pc rice production deficit.
In the five years collaboration KOPIA has invested Ksh 645 million ($5m) in the project focused on producing certified rice production in the country and reduce rife imports
According to Dr Ruth Musila in charge of KALRO Mwea center one of the project is development of sustainable rice seeds production systems which will help the country produce enough certified rice seeds.
Speaking after hosting a delegation of KOPIA during inspection of the projects at Kimbimbi, Mwea KARLO center Musila said the country is producing only 100 to 200 metric tonnes of rice which is not sufficient adding that the project aims at producing 10,000 certified seeds annually by 2027.
Musila said KALRO has allocated 65 hectares of land at Kirogo research center in Mwea where the paddy fields will be used to produce seeds that will reduce cost of production for farmers.
She said the project will introduce new rice varieties from Korea, potentially including Tongil rice varieties from KAFACI, like ISRIZ 6, ISRIZ 7, and UKAFACI 39.
Dr. Eunha Yoo, Director, Division for KOPIA said the project goal is to increase local rice production, reduce reliance on imports and improve livelihoods of rice farmers in Kenya.
She added that farmers will be trained and assisted on mechanisation of rice production process aimed at reducing costs and post harvest loses.
She has assured the farmers that KOPIA will continue to partner with Kenya to ensure certified seeds are available and accessible to all as the country face shortage of seeds.
