Kenya partners with China to drive agricultural transformation and innovation
Kenya has partnered with Chinese investors to promote technology adoption, innovation, and mechanisation in agriculture — a move officials say will boost productivity, strengthen regional cooperation, and advance the country’s food security goals.
Kenya is turning to Chinese technology to boost agricultural productivity under a new partnership unveiled in Nairobi.
The government is seeking to leverage the expertise of Chinese investors in agricultural mechanisation and innovation to modernise the sector and improve food security.
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Speaking while opening a Chinese investors’ agricultural exhibition in Nairobi, Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh said President William Ruto’s administration is keen on working with China to enhance efficiency and sustainability in farming.
“Through this partnership, we’re seeking to promote technology adoption and investment deals in agriculture,” said Ronoh.
He added that the government aims to strengthen regional and international cooperation frameworks while enhancing knowledge sharing among researchers, farmers, and policymakers.
The Expo serves as a continental platform to promote innovation, technology adoption, and market access as key drivers of agricultural transformation. It has brought together more than 150 exhibitors and 100 international delegations, marking a major step in positioning Kenya as a regional hub for agribusiness and innovation.
“The event reinforces Kenya's commitment to regional and global agricultural partnerships, particularly under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the AU's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)/Malabo Declaration goals,” said Ronoh.
According to the PS, the Expo directly supports Kenya's Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS), which seeks to raise smallholder productivity and incomes, accelerate technology adoption, expand market access, and strengthen competitiveness.
“This calls for a strong need for regional cooperation and intra-African trade to unlock Africa's agricultural potential and achieve food security,” Ronoh said.
The meeting comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to transform and prioritise agriculture as the engine of economic growth — a sector that contributes over 23 per cent of GDP and 70 per cent of rural employment.
Other participating countries include Turkey, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.
Ronoh reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening linkages between agriculture, industry, and trade.
“Ours will be to support private sector participation and PPP frameworks and align outcomes of this Expo with national programs such as the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” added Ronoh.
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