GOVERNMENT EYES FOOD SECURITY

The galana kulalu area has been declared as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, which is making a big impact on the agricultural sector of Kenya and helping the country gain the popularity in the large-scale farming business it has always had.

The mega food security project just introduced by the government is a new SEZ that is meant to cater to global agribusiness players’ and timely processing from different sectors such as edible oils, cereals, horticulture, livestock, and industrial crops.

Tax benefits, easy regulatory approvals, and better infrastructure development support for the investors who are doing their business in the vast area are all attributed to the SEZ classification.

Furthermore, CS Kagwe disclosed that now the government is going to expand the Land Commercialisation Initiative (LCI) to incorporate the currently unutilized state-owned land in the counties, prison farms, and other government institutions with the aim of securing national food supply, attracting manufacturing and creating employment. “Kenya cannot afford to let land go to waste while we are importing food. All counties must identify productive land, and we will partner with private investors to realize its full potential,” he said.

To eliminate the red tape that has usually hindered investment, the Ministry has set up a single-window LCI Office which will merge all approval channels.

CS Kagwe confirmed that under this mechanism, investors will be able to obtain land for agricultural purposes in a month, which is expected to strengthen Kenya’s position as a destination for agri-investment. He also pointed out that investment from the private sector will be the ultimate factor that changes the whole scenario for the agricultural future of Kenya. He pointed out Nyumba Group as a great case of what really dedicated investors can do with the LCI. The firm, which has accrued 300,000 acres of land, has already put in more than $50 million (Ksh.6.4 billion) into farm development and irrigation facilities.

The Ministry claims the investment has already resulted in the creation of over 3,000 jobs, thus, helping people and also bringing in economic activities in the coastal area.

Nyumba Group’s overhaul embraces the clearing and cultivating of 20,000 acres, the industrial output of oilseed and food crops, the dam and canal building, and the large-scale installation of irrigation systems—this all proving that the government’s strategy of commercialisation has been successful practically.

Among the other companies that have been given land on the farm are Selu Farm Limited, Bayer Crop Science, Yara, and Irrico International.

As part of the LCI framework, the Ministry is leasing to private investors a substantial parcel of 1.8 million acres which accounts for the largest coordinated land commercialisation project ever in the history of Kenya. The leases are directed towards the areas with high potential for edible oils, cereals, horticulture, livestock feed, irrigated agriculture, and agro-industrial development.

CS Kagwe stressed that the Ministry is still sticking to a result-oriented land policy that will transform Kenya into a food secure, export competitive, and an attractive place for serious agricultural investors. “The time of unproductive land is gone,” he remarked. “This project will generate employment, expand industries, draw investment and guarantee our country’s agrarian future.”