Kenya partners with KiliMOL to promote mechanise rice farming

The Kenyan government through the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) has partnered with KiliMOL to introduce mechanized rice farming, aiming to reduce the country’s 75% rice deficit.

The move which seeks to increase production through modern technology like six-row and four-row rice transplanters, already showing impressive results in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme.

The mechanization reduces labor costs, improves efficiency, and attracts youth to rice farming. With 20,000 farmers onboard, the initiative is set to scale, increasing rice production, boosting job creation, and enhancing food security.

Following research and trials in the country, mechanisation has been identified as a key strategy in scaling up rice production from 250,000 metric tonnes to 1.2 million metric tonnes to satisfy the domestic market.

KiliMOL’s partnership with the Kenyan government has introduced six-row and four-row rice transplanters to improve production efficiency and cut costs.

These machines, currently operating at Mwea Irrigation Scheme, have increased rice yields from 25 to 40 bags per acre by reducing root disturbance and ensuring accurate planting.

Mechanized planting is also more cost-effective, requiring fewer workers and significantly reducing fuel consumption compared to manual planting. This innovation is helping to attract youth to rice farming and moving the country closer to self-sufficiency in rice production.

With an average farmer age of 60 and low youth interest in traditional rice planting, mechanized technology is seen as key to tripling rice production in Kenya.

KiliMOL has partnered with the government to introduce this technology, benefiting 20,000 farmers with plans to reach more by year’s end.

This innovation is reducing production costs, increasing efficiency, and creating jobs along the rice value chain, all while supporting the government’s goal of self-sufficiency and food security.