Nairobi: The government is implementing Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) so that farmers get predictable incomes. Consequently, the country's agricultural sector is experiencing a resurgence with gains in farmer incomes, economic growth, and food security under the Kenya-Kwanza administration's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Government spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, speaking at a media briefing held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, said the GMR programme has significantly stabilized farmers' earnings and reduced vulnerability to market volatility.
According to Kenya News Agency, the GMR initiative is seen as a fulfillment of the campaign slogan 'pesa mfukoni' by prioritizing production subsidies over consumption. Dr. Mwaura stated that this reflects the Kenya Kwanza government's pledge to transform the agricultural sector into an engine for economic growth, food security, and farmer prosperity.
Dr. Mwaura highlighted the increase in the price of macadamia from Sh24 to Sh100 per kilo, positioning Kenya as a top global producer of the nut. He noted this as a strategic shift towards production subsidies and better market scheduling. Similarly, coffee farmers have experienced an increase in earnings from Sh50 to Sh130 per kilo, facilitated by the Coffee Cherry Fund and direct M-Pesa payments.
The spokesperson also pointed out that the prices of products like milk have risen from Sh37 to Sh50 per litre, boosting daily incomes for numerous farmers. Sugarcane farmers have seen their earnings increase to Sh5,300 per metric tonne, up from Sh4,500, with additional bonuses due to debt cancellations and production support.
Miraa farmers are witnessing record prices across all grades, with grade one rising from Sh700 to Sh1,300, grade two from Sh350 to Sh700, and Alele grade from Sh500 to Sh1,000. The government has also enhanced local value addition in tea, leading to the export of processed tea and higher returns for farmers.
Kenya has emerged as Africa's leading exporter and producer of avocados, a success attributed to policy support and market access. Additionally, the focus on expanding leather tanneries is expected to create value addition opportunities and bolster local production. Dr. Mwaura emphasized that the leather industry, particularly in manufacturing school shoes, is thriving, creating jobs and promoting value addition.
These developments are seen as the realization of a campaign for a more peaceful and self-reliant economy, Dr. Mwaura concluded.