Thank you Omid for initiating this critical conversation. Kenya's high production costs pose significant challenges for our competitiveness in domestic food crops, particularly affecting small and mid-sized farmers who struggle with low margins and unsustainable operations. In my long experience in the agrifood sector, I hardly know any commercially successful small or mid-sized farmers focusing on the production of domestic food crops. Even those successful at a larger scale form a very small portion of the farming community. The only farmers who seem to thrive in Kenya are those oriented towards export crops, including vegetables, fruits, flowers, tea, and coffee, which find better margins on international markets. However, even in these export markets, Kenyan farmers face growing pressures to pursue ever higher margin crops and lower costs as other lower-cost countries intensify competition in our traditional European markets. This dynamic has led to a decline in the competitiveness of our vegetable exports, underscoring the need for strategic adaptations and support for our agricultural sector to remain viable and prosperous.
Managing Partner, East Africa at McKinsey & Company. Obsessed about all things livelihoods in agriculture, food, climate and the recognition of the oneness of mankind.
This one really got me. Having built 3 farms, and closed them down (for a host of different and painful reasons), I really *felt* this one! But … I also know many farmers who have gotten it very right. Power to you and thanking all the resilient, hard working, courageous, passionate farmers out there. I’m excited to see what some players are doing to make farming attractive and profitable to our farmers Naivas Supermarkets FarmWorks AgricultureYi Li Peter Mwangi SunCulture Apollo Agriculture Rose Goslinga Pyramidia Ventures Talus Renewables to name a few.
Climate Smart | SoilHealth Enthusiast | Youth Empowerment
4moFarming is simple but extremely dynamic at the same time. Wearing the the hat of a farmer…. I have had to build a farm house to be present regularly and bow employed a farm manager who has been an extension officer for 20 years. Peter Mwangi see the picture below. Now we are slowly moving away from basic vegetables and moving towards fruits