KENYA: A PERSPECTIVE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Paul Gamba and Betty Kibaara Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development Egerton University Ruralstruc Launching Workshop th April, 2006 : Senegal

OUTLINE Background on Kenya Basic Facts on Agriculture and Rural Development Evolution of Agricultural and Rural Policies Major challenges facing Agriculture and rural Development Vision of the future

Background on Kenya Located on the equator in Eastern Africa, Land Size:582,650 sq km Increasing Population 1979 – 15million 1989 – 21 million 1999 – 28 million 2006-est. 32 million Pop. Below poverty 56% GDP $16.25 billion (2005 est.) agriculture: 16.3% industry: 18.8% services: 65.1% (2004 est.) GDP Growth rate 4.3% (2004)

Background on Kenya Cont.. varied Agro-ecological Zones Rainfall – Ranges from 400mm to more than 2000mm Some areas experience two rainy seasons Temperature range 10 0 C to more than 30 0 C

Basic Facts on Agriculture and Rural Development Agricultural Land classified into High, Medium and Low potential based on Rainfall Dual Agricultural Sector – Subsistence and Commercial Large Scale and Smallholders Smallholders account for 70% of gross marketed production

Basic Facts on Agriculture and Rural Development Cont… Major Agricultural Commodities Cereals and legumes – maize, wheat, barley, rice, beans Industrial – Sugar cane, Tobacco, Pyrethrum Horticultural – Tropical fruits, vegetables and flowers Perennial Crops – Tea, coffee, coconuts, cashew nuts

Basic Facts on Agriculture and Rural Development Cont… Major Export Crops: Tea, Horticultural crops (Flowers, fruits and vegetables), Coffee, pyrethrum Declining productivity Increasing food imports

Trends in Maize Production and Productivity Production has been on an upward trend but the increases are marginal and cannot cope with population growth

Maize Production versus Consumption

GDP and Agricultural GDP Growth Trends

Evolution of Agricultural and Rural Policies Colonial period (Before 1954) Scheduled areas and scheduled crops Restricted Marketing Government assistance directed toward settler farmers

Evolution of Agricultural and Rural Policies The Swynnerton Plan Period (1955 – 1962) Opening up of commercial farming Land tenure issues addressed through Consolidation and registration Opening up of agricultural produce marketing

Evolution of Agricultural and Rural Policies Early Independence Period (1963 – 1982) Land sub-division and emergence of smallholders Heavy government involvement (input supply, marketing boards) Rapid growth of the agricultural and rural sectors

Evolution of Agricultural and Rural Policies Liberalization Era (1983 – 2002) Government withdrawal from service provision Outdated legislation, institutions and inappropriate regulatory structures Increased private sector involvement Decline in productivity and loss of competitiveness Increased poverty levels Emergence of off-farm income and remittances Development of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)

Evolution of Agricultural and Rural Policies Recovery Era (2003 and after) Development of Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) and Strategy of Revitalizing Agriculture (SRA) Increased democratization Slow Legal, regulatory and institutional reforms Emergence of strong stakeholder lobby and advocacy Policy reversals for example KCC, KMC

Major Challenges Facing Agriculture Improving productivity and competitiveness (regional and global) Attraction and maintenance of private resources into agriculture Restoring government support in the provision of public goods (infrastructure, epizootic livestock diseases )

Thank You (Ahsante)