NAIROBI-Wheat farmers across Narok, Nakuru, Meru, Laikipia, Nyandarua, and Uasin Gishu are set for a major financial boost following the government’s decision to increase the producer price of locally grown wheat from Sh4,750 to Sh5,100 per 90kg bag for the 2026 season.
Announcing the new rates during on Friday 7th,July, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe stated that the move is designed to incentivize domestic growers and protect them from market volatility before any foreign imports are permitted.
The revised pricing, which will apply at all designated national aggregation centers, was agreed upon after extensive consultations between the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the Cereal Growers Association, local farmers, and the Cereal Millers Association.
The policy intervention comes at a critical time for the sector as adverse weather conditions this season have driven national harvests down to approximately one million bags, compared to 1.7 million bags recorded last year.
To counter these climate-driven setbacks, the Ministry is rolling out a suite of targeted support measures, including fertilizer subsidies, enhanced mechanization, climate-smart agricultural practices, improved seed varieties, and strengthened pest control.
Looking ahead, the Kenya Kwanza administration aims to build a self-sustaining wheat industry that stabilizes farmer incomes, reduces Kenya’s heavy reliance on imported grain, and maintains affordable flour prices for consumers.
To safeguard these long-term reforms, CS Kagwe recently urged the National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee to fast-track crucial sector legislation before the end of 2026, ensuring pivotal policy momentum is not derailed by the upcoming 2027 General Election cycle.
“Early action would prevent legislative business from stalling during the campaign period and eliminate the need to restart the process in the next Parliament,” Kagwe stated.
