The government is set to import 2.3 billion kilogrammes of maize to cushion the country against looming food shortage. [File, Standard]
The government is set to import 2.3 billion kilogrammes of maize to cushion the country against looming food shortage due to massive crop failures due to drought in most parts of the country.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said yesterday that the government reached the decision following the drought that hit many areas that produce maize.
The CS spoke during a joint consultative meeting between the national and county governments and the World Bank to review progress made in the implementation of the National Value-Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP).
“We are making arrangements to import 25 million bags of 90 kilogrammes each. This is because many areas of the country experienced drought as a result of climate change,” he explained.
The CS said the country will encourage investment in irrigated agriculture to increase food production, noting that the food security project at Galana Kulalu will be one of the pioneer plans.
Kagwe said the meeting was critical at a time when the agricultural sector is facing challenges related to climate change and disruptions in the global food systems and supply chains.