Rice farmers in Mwea are breathing a collective sigh of relief after the government confirmed the full purchase and payment of all locally produced rice delivered to state agencies.

This unprecedented 100% uptake signals a dramatic turnaround for a sector historically plagued by delayed payments and rotting stock. With production projected to hit a record 302,000 metric tonnes in 2026, the move by the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) to clear the decks has injected billions back into the rural economy, proving that structured markets can indeed work.

Turning the Tide on Imports

For years, the narrative in Mwea has been one of despair—farmers watching helplessly as cheap imports flooded the market while their premium Pishori gathered dust. The intervention by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and KNTC changes the game. By guaranteeing a market, the state has effectively de-risked rice farming.

"We have zero carry-over stock for the first time in history," confirmed Anthony Waweru, Managing Director of the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Co-operative Society (MRGM). "Every grain harvested in 2025 has been sold and paid for. This is the freedom our farmers have prayed for."

• The Numbers: Production has surged from 123,916 MT in 2022 to a projected 302,000 MT in 2026. This growth is a direct result of expanded irrigation and guaranteed offtake.
• Price Stabilization: While imported non-basmati rice retails at KES 80-100, Mwea's premium Pishori holds steady at KES 140-160, protecting farmer margins without hurting consumers who demand quality.
• Strategic Reserves: The government's purchase acts as a buffer, ensuring national food security amidst global supply chain volatility.

A Lesson for Other Sectors

The success in Mwea offers a blueprint for Kenya's ailing maize and coffee sectors. It demonstrates that when the government aligns policy with procurement, the results are immediate and transformative. The challenge now is sustainability.

Can the KNTC maintain this liquidity? With national consumption still outstripping production by 80%, the balance between supporting local farmers and managing necessary imports remains delicate. But for now, the farmers of Kirinyaga are laughing all the way to the bank.

As the new planting season begins, confidence is at an all-time high. Mwea has proven that with the right support, Kenya can feed itself—one grain at a time.