Calistus Efukho
Director of Kenya Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)

Speaking to Miller Magazine, Calistus Efukho, Director of Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority, reveals Kenya’s bold strategy to cut grain imports, boost local production, and position the country as a rising export powerhouse in East Africa. From climate-resilient farming to modern logistics and milling, Kenya is paving the way for a more self-sufficient and globally competitive grain sector.

At the International Grains Council (IGC) Conference in London, Miller Magazine had the opportunity to speak with Calistus Efukho, Director of Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the state corporation responsible for developing, promoting, and regulating Kenya’s crops subsector. Operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, AFA plays a pivotal role in enhancing productivity, ensuring quality standards, and supporting local and export market development across key value chains including cereals, horticulture, coffee, fibre crops, nuts, and industrial crops.

In this exclusive interview, Mr. Efukho outlines Kenya’s efforts to strengthen its grain value chains through climate-resilient farming, irrigation expansion, digital agriculture, and investment in post-harvest infrastructure. He also shares valuable insights into the country’s evolving flour consumption trends, the gradual reduction in import dependency, and Kenya’s growing potential to become a regional hub for grain trade and processing.

Mr. Efukho emphasizes that Kenya’s grain sector is on a path toward increased self-sufficiency, digital innovation, and export competitiveness. He extends a clear message to international investors, agritech pioneers, and grain processors: Kenya is open for business and ready for strategic partnerships that will shape the future of sustainable and resilient grain systems.

Mr. Efukho, could you briefly introduce the mission and structure of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and its role in shaping Kenya’s agricultural sector?

Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) is a state corporation established by the Act of Parliament, AFA Act No. 13 of 2013, to operationalize The Crops Act No. 16 of 2013. Its mandate is to develop, promote and regulate the crops subsector in Kenya. Its mission is to develop, promote and regulate scheduled crops value chains for sustainable economic growth and transformation. AFA operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and is governed by a Board of Directors and a Director General.

The authority is structured into six technical directorates:

• Food Crops (Cereals, Pulses, Roots and Tubers)
• Horticultural Crops (Flowers, Fruits and vegetables)
• Coffee
• Fibre Crops (Sisal, Cotton)
• Nuts and Oil Crops (Macamia, Coconuts, Cashewnuts, peanuts, Sunflower)
• Miraa, Pyrethrum, and Other Industrial Crops

AFA’s key roles include:

• Enhancing productivity through promotion of best agronomic practices.
• Market development, both local and export markets.
• Regulatory oversight via establishment and enforcement of crop standards, inspection protocols, and quality assurance frameworks.

What are the key policy priorities of the Kenyan government in ensuring food and nutrition security amid climate change and population growth?

Macro-Level Policy Frameworks:

a) Kenya Vision 2030: National long-term development blueprint emphasizing transformation into an industrialized middle-income country.

b) Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) under the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV): Focused on inclusive, competitive, and climate-resilient economic growth.

Agricultural Priorities under BETA

Boosting Staple Crop Productivity: Increasing yields of maize, potatoes, and pulses to strengthen food security.

Expanding High-Value Exports: Supporting crops like coffee, avocado, and pyrethrum to drive export growth.

Import Substitution: Reducing reliance on imports of rice, wheat, edible oils, and sugar to improve self-sufficiency.

How is Kenya balancing the promotion of local grain production with the necessity of imports, especially for wheat and maize?

Kenya is actively working to balance the promotion of local grain production with the ongoing need for imports, particularly for wheat and maize. To strengthen domestic output, the government is expanding irrigation schemes to mitigate the impacts of climate variability and ensure more stable production. Additionally, fertilizer subsidy programs and efforts to lower overall production costs are being implemented to support farmers and improve competitiveness. 

Despite these initiatives, imports remain necessary to cover supply shortfalls. The government allows policy-guided importation by the private sector to ensure market stability and food security. At the same time, Kenya is investing in the development of alternative production zones to further increase local grain production and reduce future import dependency.

Could you provide an update on Kenya’s grain production performance this season — specifically for maize, wheat, and sorghum?

Maize: Kenya’s Staple Crop

Maize remains the most important staple crop in Kenya, but recent data indicates a noticeable contraction in both production and imports. The total area planted with maize declined by 5.42%, dropping from 2.55 million hectares in 2023 to 2.41 million hectares in 2024. Consequently, maize production decreased from 4.38 million metric tons (MT) in 2023 to 4.03 million MT in 2024, driven by both the reduced cultivation area and lower productivity levels.

Maize imports also experienced a significant decline. In 2022, Kenya imported 0.89 million MT of maize, but by 2024, imports had sharply decreased to 0.30 million MT, reflecting a 67% reduction. This trend suggests an increasing reliance on domestic production despite the contraction in cultivated area.

Wheat: Kenya’s Second Most Important Cereal

Wheat holds the position as Kenya’s second most consumed cereal after maize. Wheat imports fell from 1.99 million MT in 2023 to 1.81 million MT in 2024, indicating a gradual shift toward local production. Although wheat is still heavily dependent on imports, the declining import volumes may signal efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains.

Sorghum: Rising Domestic Production

Sorghum has seen a positive shift in local production and a sharp decline in imports. Production rose from 201,523 MT in 2023 to 241,309 MT in 2024, suggesting growing interest in sorghum as an alternative crop. Imports of sorghum decreased dramatically, from 76,289 MT to just 7,061 MT, highlighting improved self-sufficiency. However, exports also declined, primarily due to increased domestic consumption absorbing more of the locally produced sorghum.

What are the main challenges Kenyan farmers face in increasing grain productivity, and how is AFA addressing them?

Kenyan farmers face a complex set of challenges that continue to limit their ability to increase grain productivity and ensure food security.

Major Challenges:

• High Cost of Production: Farmers are burdened by the rising costs of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, making it difficult to achieve profitable yields.
• Climate Change and Irregular Rainfall: Erratic weather patterns and prolonged droughts, driven by climate change, have disrupted planting and harvesting cycles, directly impacting grain yields.
• Unstructured Marketing Systems: The absence of well-organized and efficient marketing channels often forces farmers to sell their produce at low prices, limiting their profitability and discouraging investment in improved practices.
• Post-Harvest Losses: Kenyan farmers experience significant post-harvest losses, estimated at 30% to 40%, due to inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and inefficient supply chains.
• Pest and Disease Pressures: The prevalence of pests and plant diseases continues to threaten crop productivity, often leading to substantial yield reductions.
• Soil Fertility Decline: Continuous cultivation without proper soil management has resulted in soil degradation and declining fertility, further constraining productivity growth.

AFA’s Response and Strategic Interventions:

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has implemented several targeted strategies to address these persistent challenges:

• Promotion of Climate-Resilient Varieties: AFA actively promotes the adoption of drought-tolerant and climate-resilient seed varieties to help farmers mitigate the adverse effects of climate variability.
• Market Linkages and Aggregation Centers: By facilitating better market access and supporting the establishment of aggregation centers, AFA helps farmers secure fair prices and reduces the influence of middlemen.
• Farmer Training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): AFA provides training programs to build farmer capacity in adopting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, aiming to improve productivity and product quality.
• Investment in Post-Harvest Infrastructure and Digital Platforms: The Authority is investing in modern storage facilities and leveraging digital platforms to minimize post-harvest losses, improve traceability, and enhance supply chain efficiency.

To what extent is Kenya investing in climate-resilient seed varieties, irrigation, and post-harvest management?

Kenya is actively advancing agricultural resilience through strategic investments in climate-smart seed varieties, irrigation infrastructure, and post-harvest management systems to support sustainable grain production and food security.

Climate-Resilient Seed Varieties: We continue to develop and promote drought-tolerant and pest-resistant seed varieties across major staple crops, including maize, wheat, sorghum, and pulses. These seed innovations aim to help farmers withstand the increasing challenges posed by climate variability and pest outbreaks while improving productivity and crop reliability.

Irrigation Development: Kenya is scaling up irrigation investments through the expansion of irrigation schemes across various regions. These initiatives are being integrated into the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), which serve as regional hubs to support value addition, market access, and agro-processing. This approach is designed to enhance water use efficiency and ensure a more stable agricultural output, especially in areas prone to erratic rainfall.

Post-Harvest Management Improvements: To address significant post-harvest losses, Kenya is making targeted investments in modern storage and drying technologies. Key interventions include:

• Installation of solar dryers to reduce moisture content and prevent spoilage.
• Upgrading storage infrastructure to improve food safety and shelf life.
• Promotion of hermetic storage bags, which offer cost-effective protection against pests and moisture.
•  Encouragement of mechanized threshing to minimize post-harvest handling losses and improve operational efficiency.

These combined efforts reflect Kenya’s commitment to building a more climate-resilient, efficient, and market-ready agricultural sector.

What role do innovation, digital agriculture, and data management play in improving Kenya’s grain sector?

Innovation, digital agriculture, and data management are transforming Kenya’s grain sector. Key technologies support farm-level data collection, real-time market access, early warning systems for climate and pests, and mobile-based farmer advisory services. Precision agriculture is also helping optimize input use and improve crop management, driving productivity and efficiency.

What progress has been made toward reducing Kenya’s grain import dependency, particularly for wheat and maize?

Kenya has taken measurable steps to reduce its reliance on grain imports. These efforts combine increased domestic production initiatives, strategic policy measures, and collaborative partnerships.

Key Progress Areas:

Increased investment in local production zones and irrigation: Kenya is actively channeling resources into expanding local grain production zones, supported by the development of irrigation infrastructure. These efforts aim to stabilize yields and reduce dependence on rainfall, particularly in maize and wheat farming areas.

Strengthening strategic grain reserves and input subsidy programs: The government has bolstered its strategic grain reserves to enhance national food security and market stability. In parallel, input subsidy programs have been implemented to improve farmers’ access to affordable seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs, thereby encouraging higher domestic production.

Collaborations with research institutions and international donors: Kenya is working closely with local and international research organizations, as well as donor agencies, to introduce improved seed varieties, climate-smart practices, and modern post-harvest technologies. These partnerships aim to enhance productivity, build resilience, and support long-term self-sufficiency.

Declining grain imports: A gradual decline in maize and sorghum imports has been observed, driven by the steady increase in local production. This indicates that Kenya’s investment in domestic agriculture is beginning to yield tangible results in reducing import dependency. 

Policy Outlook:

While no significant changes in import tariffs are expected in the short term, Kenya continues to conduct strategic trade policy reviews within the frameworks of the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). 

How is Kenya working with international partners and regional trade blocs to improve grain trade and logistics?

Kenya is collaborating with international partners and regional trade blocs to improve grain trade efficiency, reduce logistical barriers, and strengthen its position within regional and continental markets.

Regional Engagement and Trade Harmonization:  Kenya is working closely with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC) to harmonize trade standards, tariffs, and cross-border protocols. These efforts aim to streamline grain trade by reducing non-tariff barriers, simplifying documentation processes, and facilitating smoother cross-border movement of agricultural commodities.

Investment in Regional Infrastructure: Significant investments are being made in regional transport and logistics infrastructure to support more efficient grain trade. Key projects include:

 The LAPSSET Corridor (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor), which is designed to open new trade routes and enhance regional connectivity.

 The development of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), which consolidate customs and clearance procedures to reduce waiting times and improve the flow of goods across borders.

Continental Trade Integration: Kenya is aligning its trade strategies with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning itself to benefit from broader African trade integration. By aligning policies and infrastructure development with AfCFTA frameworks, Kenya seeks to increase grain trade opportunities beyond East Africa and strengthen its role in the continental agricultural supply chain.

What is the status of Kenya’s milling sector, and are there reforms to modernize processing?

Kenya’s milling sector plays a critical role in the national food system and is primarily driven by private sector investments. The industry is diverse, comprising small-, medium-, and large-scale millers, which collectively serve both urban and rural markets.

The milling industry in Kenya is predominantly private-sector led, with companies varying in size and operational capacity. Small- and medium-scale millers typically serve localized markets, while large-scale players supply national and regional markets.

The Kenyan government has introduced several initiatives to support the modernization and competitiveness of the milling sector:

VAT exemptions for milling equipment: To encourage technological upgrades and modernization, the government offers VAT exemptions on the importation of milling machinery and equipment.

Capacity building and quality standardization: Authorities are actively involved in capacity-building programs aimed at improving millers’ technical skills and ensuring adherence to national quality and food safety standards. This contributes to the production of safer, higher-quality flour products.

Incentives for co-location in CAIPs and special economic zones: The government promotes the establishment of milling operations within County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) by offering various investment incentives. These include streamlined administrative procedures, improved infrastructure, and fiscal benefits designed to enhance processing efficiency and reduce logistics costs.

What are the current trends in flour consumption in Kenya?

Kenya’s flour consumption patterns continue to evolve, shaped by dietary preferences, regulatory requirements, and emerging consumer trends.

Maize flour dominates the market: Maize flour remains the primary staple in Kenyan households, especially in rural areas. It is the most widely consumed type of flour in the country and is subject to mandatory fortification as part of national food security and nutrition policies. This regulation aims to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health outcomes.

Wheat flour consumption is strong in urban centers: Wheat flour maintains a significant share of the flour market, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where bread, chapati, and other wheat-based products are dietary staples. The demand for wheat flour is supported by changing consumer lifestyles and urbanization.

Emergence of composite flours: There is a growing interest in composite flours, which blend maize with alternative crops such as sorghum and cassava. These products are gaining attention for their potential nutritional benefits, affordability, and resilience to local growing conditions. However, composite flour consumption remains minimal at this stage and is yet to achieve mainstream acceptance among consumers.

Could Kenya emerge as a regional hub for grain trade and processing?

Although Kenya has traditionally been a net importer of grains, the country holds significant potential to position itself as a regional hub for grain trade and processing in the coming years. Several strategic advantages support this prospect:

Key Enablers:

Vast underutilized arable land: Kenya possesses large areas of fertile but underutilized agricultural land. With targeted investments in land development and improved farming practices, these areas could substantially increase domestic grain production and potentially create export surpluses.

Growing agritech ecosystem: Kenya’s rapidly expanding agritech sector is fostering innovation in precision farming, climate-smart agriculture, digital marketplaces, and supply chain management. This technological advancement positions the country to enhance productivity, efficiency, and regional competitiveness in grain processing and trade.

Strategic geographic location: Located at the heart of East Africa, Kenya enjoys strong trade links with neighboring countries and is well-placed to serve as a gateway for regional grain distribution. Its position makes it a natural logistical and processing hub within the East African Community (EAC) and beyond.

Well-developed logistics infrastructure: Kenya’s investment in modern logistics facilities, seaports, and transport corridors—such as the Port of Mombasa and the LAPSSET Corridor—provides a competitive edge in grain handling, processing, and export operations.

What message do you have for international investors, grain processors, and agritech innovators?

Kenya is open for investment. There is immense opportunity across the grain value chain—from seed, field production and mechanization to processing, logistics, and innovation. The future of Kenya’s grain industry is digital, climate-resilient, and export-oriented. We invite investors to collaborate with us in IoT solutions, biotechnology, processing plants, and resilient food systems.