This Week in Agriculture

01 EDITOR’S NOTE

Hi!

Once again, it’s great to have you with us as always. We’re growing, and we’re excited that you are on this journey with us. 

Hopefully you’re finding something useful here, whether it’s a story that you completely relate to, an insight that helps you make a better decision, or an opportunity worth exploring.

And as always, we’d love to hear from you as we aim to be your trusted source for everything Kenyan agriculture. See below for how to get in touch with us.

This week, milk is becoming harder to find on supermarket shelves across the country!

And it’s a sign of a bigger challenge facing agriculture: how do we keep food production reliable when weather conditions are putting pressure on farmers and the systems that support them?

But there are also signs of change. From a new national bioeconomy strategy to the revival of Muhoroni Sugar, research into better cattle breeds and plans to expand coffee production in Uasin Gishu, there are efforts underway to make agriculture more productive and resilient.

For farmers, agribusinesses and investors, the question as always is what these developments mean beyond the headlines.

Here’s what caught our attention this week.

02 NEWS ROUND-UP

Milk supplies to processors fell by 3.7 per cent between June and July, from 84 million litres to 81 million litres, with preliminary indications of a further decline in August. The shortage has been most visible in pasteurised milk, while UHT and extended-shelf-life products remain more available. The Kenya Dairy Board attributes the decline largely to dry and cold conditions that have reduced pasture and fodder.

For dairy farmers, lower production comes as the cost of maintaining herds can rise when fodder, commercial feeds and water are harder to access. Farmers who are able to maintain production may benefit from stronger demand from processors and retailers looking for available milk. The situation further  highlights how closely dairy production remains tied to feed availability.

The disruption also creates a case for investment in areas that can strengthen supply, including fodder production, animal nutrition, irrigation, dairy genetics, milk cooling and storage. 

The expected October–December rainfall could improve pasture and fodder availability, but the current shortage shows the importance of building systems that are less vulnerable to weather conditions.

The pressure on traditional agricultural systems is also pushing Kenya to look beyond conventional production. Kenya has launched the National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036, a 10-year framework aimed at using biological resources, science and innovation to create new economic opportunities while responding to climate change. It moves agriculture towards products and industries built around biological resources, including biotechnology, waste utilisation and value addition.

For farmers, this could create additional ways to earn from resources that have traditionally had little commercial value. Agricultural residues, livestock by-products and other biological materials could be processed into useful products, allowing farmers to participate in new value chains rather than relying only on selling raw crops and livestock.

For businesses and investors, the strategy points to opportunities in biotechnology, agricultural processing, waste conversion, bio-based products, improved seeds and climate-smart technologies. Turning these opportunities into economic benefits will require investment in research, infrastructure, skills and finance. If successfully implemented, the bioeconomy could diversify Kenya’s agricultural sector and create new sources of value.

While some parts of agriculture are responding to climate and productivity pressures with new approaches, others are focused on getting existing systems working better. Muhoroni Sugar Company is processing about 1,400 tonnes of sugarcane a day after resuming operations in June following repairs to ageing machinery. For farmers in the region, the biggest change is the return of a reliable market. Farmers supplying the factory are reportedly being paid within one week of delivery, giving them quicker access to cash for household expenses, farm loans and reinvestment.

However keeping the factory running consistently will depend on having enough mature cane to process. Further repairs to the boilers, mills and cane-preparation sections are planned during the October rains.

The question of productivity extends beyond crops. KALRO (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation) is researching improved cattle breeds and animal feeds as Kenya looks to increase beef production and meet growing demand. The focus is on cattle that grow faster, gain more weight and produce higher-quality meat, alongside feeds that can support better animal performance. This addresses a productivity challenge among farmers keeping indigenous cattle that generally take longer to reach market weight.

For farmers, better genetics and nutrition could mean getting animals to market faster and producing heavier animals for sale. But the benefits will depend on access to quality breeding material, affordable feeds and practical guidance. This is particularly important in areas where drought and inadequate feed supplies already limit livestock productivity.

And in Uasin Gishu, the focus is on diversification. The county plans to expand coffee production from about 3,000 acres to more than 10,000 acres, giving farmers another commercial crop beyond maize. The county is distributing quality coffee seedlings while also strengthening farmer training, extension services and cooperatives. For farmers, the shift offers an opportunity to diversify income and reduce dependence on maize.

Coffee, however, requires a longer-term commitment. Farmers need to account for the time required for trees to establish and the investment needed before they reach full production. The success of the expansion will therefore depend not just on increasing acreage, but on providing farmers with the technical support needed to maintain quality and productivity.

03 OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE

I’m also excited to share with you a few event opportunities worth your attention this coming week!