AI and Smart Farming Take Centre Stage as Kagwe Tours Innovative Farms in Trans Nzoia

AI (Artificial intelligence), automation, and other emerging technologies are increasingly shaping Kenya’s agricultural sector, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has said.

Kagwe made the remarks during a tour of innovative farms in Trans Nzoia County, where he engaged farmers and showcased technologies being used to improve productivity, efficiency and the quality of agricultural produce.

The CS visited Hydroponic Farm, Mt. Elgon Orchards, Lokitela Farm and Sirwo Farm, which have adopted different approaches to modern agriculture, including mechanisation, value addition and export-oriented production.

The farms also demonstrated the growing use of artificial intelligence and AI-powered drones in agriculture. The technologies can help farmers monitor crops, identify problems early, improve decision-making and apply farm inputs more precisely.

Kagwe said the developments were evidence of the opportunities available to farmers willing to adopt modern production methods while also strengthening the government’s efforts to place innovation at the centre of agricultural transformation.

The tour highlighted technologies including hydroponic production, avocado seedling grafting, greenhouse farming, automated irrigation and improved post-harvest handling.

These approaches can help farmers increase productivity while improving the consistency and quality of produce destined for local, regional and international markets.

Beyond production, the CS said modern agriculture has significant potential to create employment across the wider value chain. Opportunities extend from farm operations to processing, packaging, transportation, logistics and export services.

Kagwe said stronger partnerships between government and private-sector players would be necessary to accelerate the adoption of agricultural technologies and attract investment into the sector.

He also emphasized the importance of marketing and branding, saying producing quality agricultural goods alone is not enough to guarantee strong returns for farmers.

According to the CS, Kenya must deliberately build the identity of its agricultural products and position them competitively in regional and international markets.

He assured farmers and processors that the government would continue working to open new markets while strengthening existing export destinations. The objective, he said, is to create more reliable markets capable of delivering sustainable returns to producers.

The visit also highlighted the importance of transport infrastructure in Kenya’s agricultural export ambitions. Kagwe noted that Kenya Airways and other airlines have a strategic role in moving high-value agricultural products to international markets, particularly commodities that require rapid delivery.

The Chairperson of Kenya Airways, who also farms, joined the CS during the engagement, highlighting the potential for closer cooperation between the agriculture and aviation sectors.

The developments in Trans Nzoia come as Kenyan farmers face rising production costs, changing weather patterns and growing competition in international markets. Adoption of precision farming and other technologies could provide farmers with additional tools to improve efficiency and manage production risks.

Kagwe said the government would continue supporting innovation, private investment, market access and value addition as Kenya seeks to build a more productive and competitive agricultural sector.

The farms visited offered a practical demonstration of how technology, mechanisation and commercial approaches could transform agriculture from primary production into a broader source of income, employment and export earnings.