MPs seek fresh zoning rules to protect shrinking farmland

Kenya’s legislators are stepping up efforts to protect agricultural land, calling for the reintroduction of land zoning regulations to curb the rapid loss of farmland to unplanned settlements and infrastructure projects.

The move comes amid growing concerns that the country’s limited arable land is under pressure, threatening food security and agricultural productivity.

Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi, who tabled a motion before the National Assembly on Wednesday, September 24, said that a strong zoning framework is necessary to ensure that residential, commercial, and industrial development does not encroach on fertile farmland.

“The Kenya Land Alliance estimated that only 17 per cent of the country’s land mass is classified as suitable for rain-fed agriculture, while the remainder is either semi-arid or arid. The country’s agricultural productivity has been decreasing over the years,” Wanyonyi stated.

"This decline in agricultural productivity is partly attributable to the shrinking agricultural land due to unplanned settlements that encroach on agricultural lands,” he added.

Wanyonyi stressed that the absence of clear zoning rules has allowed infrastructure expansion and urbanisation to take place without regard for the needs of farmers, leading to a gradual reduction in the land available for cultivation.

He warned that without urgent action, Kenya could see a further decline in food production and rising pressure on farmers trying to sustain the sector.

The call for zoning reform follows a recent initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase agricultural output through leasing public land to large-scale farmers.

In a statement issued on July 24, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government will prioritise farmers growing fodder and sunflowers, essential crops for dairy and livestock farming.

"We must adopt practical and viable interventions to transform the dairy sector. We must synergise our efforts to increase production and productivity through the commercialisation of pasture and fodder production," Kagwe said.

"The government intends to lease available arable public land for large-scale farming of fodder, sunflower, and other requisite ingredients that will bring down the cost of production to scale up dairy productivity,” he further explained.

The dual approach, strengthening zoning laws while promoting large-scale farming of critical crops, is aimed at addressing long-standing challenges such as limited livestock feed, post-harvest losses, and climate change-related effects on farming.

By securing farmland and supporting commercial-scale agriculture, MPs and the Agriculture Ministry hope to reverse the decline in productivity and strengthen Kenya’s agricultural sector.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• National
• Agriculture
• Kenya Land Alliance
• Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe
• Timothy Wanyonyi
• MPs seek fresh zoning rules to protect shrinking farmland
• News