Kenya accelerates edible oil crops farming to cut imports, led by AFA
Kenya is scaling up edible oil crop cultivation under the KSh 981 million Edible Oil Crops Promotion Project to curb its KSh 160 billion import bill. Targeting sunflower, canola, soybean, and coconut, the initiative aims to expand farming to 200,000 acres by 2028, boost yields fourfold, create 200,000 jobs, and raise domestic production to 50%.
KENYA – In a bold move to reduce Kenya’s staggering KSh 160 billion (US$1.25B) annual edible oil import bill, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has intensified efforts to promote the cultivation of oil-rich crops across the country.
Through the Edible Oil Crops Promotion Project (EOCPP), launched in July 2023 and valued at KSh 981 million (US$7.66M), the government aims to significantly increase domestic production of sunflower, canola, soybean, and coconut.
AFA, in collaboration with Nakuru County, recently distributed 5,000 kg of canola seeds to 600 farmers across 11 sub-counties, targeting 1,250 acres during the rainy season.
County Agriculture Executive Leonard Bor emphasised canola’s benefits as a rotational crop, noting its ability to improve soil health and boost yields of cereals like wheat and barley.
The initiative is expected to create over 200,000 jobs through farming, cottage industries, and livestock feed production.
Additionally, Custom machinery and training programs are being introduced to improve productivity, which is expected to rise from 0.5 to 2.0 tonnes per hectare.
Kenya currently produces only 34% (306,000 tonnes) of its annual edible oil demand of 900,000 metric tonnes, relying heavily on imports, primarily palm oil from Southeast Asia.
In 2023 alone, the country imported 720,000 tonnes worth nearly KSh 99 billion (US$773.44M).
The EOCPP aims to raise local production to 50% by 2028, expanding oil crop farming to 200,000 acres across 24 counties.
AFA’s Director of Crop Resources, Douglas Kangi, highlighted the profitability of oil crops like sunflower, which mature in 3 to 4 months and yield up to 25 bags per acre.
Farmers are encouraged to engage in household-level oil processing to maximise returns. Sunflower by-products, such as cakes, also have strong demand in the animal feed industry.
The EOCPP is co-funded by the National Treasury (KSh 400 million – US$3.13M) and AFA (KSh 581 million – USD$4.54M), and is designed to reduce Kenya’s reliance on imports, stabilise cooking oil prices, and empower smallholder farmers.
With strategic support, improved seed access, and market linkages, Kenya is set to transform its edible oil sector and strengthen agricultural resilience.
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Source : Milling MEA
