Kenya, Korea Seal KSh 2B Deal to Boost Local Rice Production

In Summary

  • Kenya and Korea partner to enhance rice production via the K-Ricebelt project.
  • Initiative includes KSh 645 million for certified seed production.
  • Targets high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties to cut imports.
  • Project to benefit farmers in 13 counties, focusing on sustainability.
  • Infrastructure upgrades include seed storage and processing units.
  • Aims to increase rice self-sufficiency and farmer incomes.

Kenya has partnered with South Korea to boost rice production through a KSh 645 million initiative aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on rice imports. The collaboration, part of the K-Ricebelt project, was highlighted during the 2025 KOPIA International Symposium in Nairobi, where Korean and Kenyan agricultural officials reviewed progress on sustainable rice seed systems.

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The project, implemented by the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), focuses on producing high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties like ISRIZ-6 and ISRIZ-7, capable of yielding 5–6 tons per hectare.

It includes constructing a seed storage facility in Mwea to hold 1,000 tonnes of certified seeds, alongside dryers and processing units to ensure affordable seed access for farmers.

Dr. Eliud Kireger, KALRO Director General, emphasized the project’s potential to transform rice farming.

“This partnership will enhance seed systems, increase yields, and empower smallholder farmers with resilient varieties,” he said at the symposium.

The initiative targets 13 counties, aiming to produce 800,000 metric tonnes of rice seeds over five years, boosting production by 25% annually.

Kenya currently produces 200,000 tonnes of rice annually but consumes nearly 1 million tonnes, importing 80% at a cost of KSh 34 billion yearly. The project aims to cut this deficit by 60% within five years through improved seed access and mechanization.

Dr. Ruth Musila, KALRO Mwea Centre Director, stressed affordability.

“We aim to reduce seed prices from KSh 160 to KSh 100 per kilogram, making them accessible to smallholder farmers,” she said.

The initiative builds on Kenya’s National Rice Development Strategy, aiming to increase production to 846,000 tonnes by 2030. Farmers like Peter Mwangi from Mwea welcomed the plan but called for transparency. “We need clear timelines to ensure these benefits reach us,” he said.

The project also includes training 75 local experts and 10 in South Korea, alongside infrastructure upgrades like irrigation and farm roads. Korean Ambassador Hyung-shik Kang reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to Kenya’s food security goals.

This collaboration, backed by a $77 million Korean investment through 2027, aims to produce 10,000 tonnes of rice seeds annually, supporting 30 million people across eight African nations, including Kenya.

The Ministry of Agriculture will monitor pilot projects to ensure adaptability, with updates expected by late 2025. If successful, the initiative could significantly advance Kenya’s rice self-sufficiency and economic growth.