Kenya Govt says Mwea farmers harvested 160K metric tonnes of rice in 2024
Kenya harvested a record 160,270 metric tonnes of rice in 2024 from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and surrounding areas, according to Interior PS Raymond Omollo. Farmers averaged 25 bags per acre, with an additional 20 bags from ratooning. The output supports food security and job creation. Expansion plans in Western Kenya aim to boost production further through Ksh6.6 billion in proposed irrigation projects.
The government has announced that farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and surrounding outgrower areas harvested 160,270 metric tonnes of rice in 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo stated that the production contributed to the country’s food security.
“Last year alone, farmers from both the main scheme and the surrounding outgrower areas harvested a combined 160,270 metric tonnes of rice, a record output that is directly contributing to national food security,” he said.
He stated that farmers harvest an average of 25 bags of rice per acre, with each bag weighing 100 kilograms.
“The crop then ratoons, producing an additional 20 bags per acre from the same stems without fresh planting, a second harvest that has become increasingly reliable due to consistent water availability,” he said.
Further, he stated that the production ensures a steady supply of rice to Kenyan households while creating thousands of jobs, from farm labour and milling to transport and trade.
“The rice trade remains liberalised, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers, deliver to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), or engage wholesalers for bulk sales, ensuring they benefit from competitive market prices,” he said.
Similarly, the PS pointed out that the Mwea Irrigation Scheme has become a catalyst for the local economy, injecting income into rural households, stimulating small businesses, and driving infrastructure development in the region.
He also stated that the fertiliser subsidy programme has lowered input costs for farmers and enhanced crop productivity across irrigation and rain-fed zones alike.
National Irrigation Authority
This comes as the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) is courting development partners for a multi-billion shilling partnership aimed at revitalising and expanding rice production in Western Kenya.
This emerged during a high-level tour of the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko Tanaka, who was in the country to assess ongoing and potential areas of collaboration.
Speaking during the tour on July 7, 2025, NIA Chief Executive Officer Charles Muasya said the proposed partnership was geared towards expanding the land under irrigation at the Ahero and West Kano Irrigation Schemes.
Furthermore, he stated that the plan includes opening up an additional 56,000 acres under the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Migori County.
In a presentation to the visiting JICA delegation, Muasya emphasised that irrigation schemes in Western Kenya were central to the country’s rice production ambitions.
He disclosed that the total cost of rehabilitation and expansion works was estimated at Ksh2.6 billion for Lower Kuja, Ksh2.1 billion for West Kano, and Ksh1.9 billion for the Kisumu Cluster.
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Source : People Daily
