Capwell Industries Limited (CIL) will support Kenyan rice farmers in a bid to increase food production in the country.
Capwell Industries CEO Rajan Shah has committed to supporting rice farmers in Kenya to promote sustainable rice production and strengthen the food supply chain. This initiative comes as concerns about food insecurity and climate change continue to impact millions of Kenyans.
Shah announced that the company will assist farmers growing CIL Komboka rice, a high-yielding and drought-resistant variety, through its contract farming program.
“Under this program, farmers will receive financial support, specialized training in sustainable farming, and access to a guaranteed market for their produce. This initiative aims to empower farmers and address food security and nutrition challenges in the country,” said CEO Shah.
“Rice has long been a staple food for many Kenyan households. It is currently the third most consumed grain in Kenya, after maize and wheat, with an annual consumption of approximately 1.2 million metric tonnes,” he added.
Demand for rice has been growing at an average rate of 12% per year over the past decade, driven by changing dietary habits.
However, local production has not kept up with demand. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), while Kenya consumes over one million metric tonnes of rice annually, domestic production stands at only about 230,000 metric tonnes. To bridge the gap, the government imports more than 700,000 metric tonnes of rice each year, costing the country approximately $300 million (sh.38,754,082,200).
According to the Capwell Industries CEO, reducing dependence on imports is possible through increased local production.
“The food production sector plays a crucial role in national health and economic progress, and enhancing domestic rice production will contribute significantly to Kenya’s sustainable development,” he said.
