KENYA TO IMPORT 500,000 METRIC TONNES OF RICE TO ADRESS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE

Cabinet Secretary for agriculture Mutahi Kagwe announced that the government has authorised the duty free importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of Grade 1 white milled rice to address a national shortage, as local production falls short the country's monthly consumption needs.
CS Kagwe stated that Kenya always imports rice and in the last three years the country has imported over 700,000 metric tonnes of rice each year. He clarified that Kenya only produces about 20% of rice for consumption in Mwea and other parts of the country. He also rubbishes claims that the government is trying to kill the rice industry in the country.
"I don't understand why there was this confusion that we are importing rice to kill off the local industry, let me explain-we import wheat in this country, 90% of the wheat we consume is imported but we also have farmers in Narok in Timau and elsewhere the practice is as follows; We take care of our farmers, we make sure we buy all their wheat as we allow more wheat be imported into country." He said.
"And also for the rice farmers, we will make sure we buy all their rice even as we import more rice. So there should be no panick that we will import rice at the expense of the local farmer." He added.