Bʏ Mᴀʀʏ Mᴡᴇɴᴅᴇ
November 20, 2025
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called for a radical shift in how the country views and manages agriculture, urging all stakeholders to transform the sector into a competitive, technology-driven enterprise that drives national prosperity. Speaking at the close of the 5th National Agribusiness Summit 2025 held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Mudavadi highlighted agriculture as not merely a means of survival, but the engine that powers Kenya’s economic transformation.
In a speech that resonated deeply with farmers, investors, and policymakers, Mudavadi reaffirmed that agriculture remains ‘the lifeblood of our rural economies, the source of our food and nutritional security, and the foundation upon which millions of livelihoods depend.’
He emphasized that while the sector contributes significantly to Kenya’s exports and industrial growth, its true value lies in sustaining social and economic stability across rural Kenya. However, he warned that for too long, agriculture had been viewed through the lens of subsistence rather than enterprise.
“The time has come for us to reposition it as a competitive, profitable, and technology-driven business sector capable of powering Kenya’s transformation,” he said, calling for bold reforms that will make farming a viable venture for both smallholders and commercial producers.
Aligning Policy with Practice
Mudavadi highlighted the government’s ongoing reforms under the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aim to streamline agricultural value chains, modernize rural infrastructure, and eliminate duplication of efforts between national and county governments.
These frameworks, he said, are already helping to align policies and interventions, ensuring that farmers experience tangible benefits on the ground. “We must deliver tangible results for our farmers and agripreneurs,” he said.
Among the top priorities is market efficiency; ending the historical exploitation of farmers who have remained ‘price takers in their own markets.’ Through strengthened aggregation centers, digital marketplaces, and cooperatives, the government aims to connect smallholder farmers directly to buyers, processors, and exporters, enabling them to earn fairer returns for their produce.
Push for Value Addition
One of the strongest points in Mudavadi’s address was his call to end the export of raw produce and instead promote value addition and agro-processing within Kenya.
“Kenya can no longer afford to export raw produce only to import processed goods at a premium. This practice drains national wealth and denies our youth jobs,” he said.
To counter this, the government is promoting local manufacturing and agro-industrialization through cottage industries, cold storage facilities, and agro-industrial parks. These initiatives, he explained, are designed to boost farm incomes and create sustainable employment for women and young people.
Technology at the Centre of Agricultural Transformation
PCS Mudavadi devoted significant attention to technology and innovation as the new frontier of agricultural transformation. His office, he revealed, is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and several local and international partners to build integrated digital ecosystems that will revolutionize service delivery across the value chain.
These include digital farmer registration, e-extension services, online access to farm inputs, and real-time market intelligence systems.
“Every farmer in Kenya must be visible, reachable, and supported effectively,” he said, adding that counties must invest in compatible agricultural data systems that feed into the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) and the National Farmer Registration System. Innovation hubs and agri-tech incubators will continue to link youth-led startups with financial institutions and public programs to scale up solutions that are reshaping agriculture.
Mudavadi noted that Kenya’s progress in digitization has attracted attention beyond its borders. Citing a recent visit by the President of Senegal, he revealed that Kenya is becoming a benchmark for digital transformation in Africa.
“You may not know it, but what you are achieving through innovation and digitization is setting a serious example for the continent,” he said. “Many African countries are now beginning to seek Kenya’s support.”
Building Partnerships for Shared Prosperity
Reiterating the importance of collaboration, Mudavadi stressed that no single actor can transform agriculture alone. He urged deeper partnerships among the government, private sector, county governments, and development partners.
“The government alone cannot achieve the transformation we seek,” he stated. “The private sector must lead in investment, processing, and logistics, while development partners continue to support financing, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.”
He mentioned ongoing negotiations between Kenya and countries such as China, India, and Turkey, aimed at easing market access and reducing export constraints, citing Kenya’s effort in pushing to become one of the first African countries to conclude a preferential trade arrangement with China, potentially unlocking vast opportunities for exporters in floriculture and other high-value sectors.
Highlights from the 5th National Agribusiness Excellence Awards
The 5th National Agribusiness Summit 2025 concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating excellence and innovation across Kenya’s agricultural value chain. PCS Hon. Mudavadi congratulated the winners of the awards, describing them as “the best of Kenya’s agricultural spirit, innovation, resilience, and enterprise in action.”
Key winners included:
- Women in Agriculture Award: Agriflex Ltd (1st), Avepo Agrovets Ltd (2nd)
- Climate Champion Award: Eco-Warrior (1st), Empresario (2nd)
- Agri-Service Provider Award: Wamwin Enterprise (1st), Terralima (2nd)
- Youth Agripreneur of the Year Award: Pure Pantry Ltd (1st), Sincy Research Centre (2nd)
- Impact and Innovation Award: Omnia Distributors Ltd (1st), ChildFund Kenya (2nd)
- Agripreneur of the Year (Overall): One Acre Fund (1st), Evyga Agrochemicals Store (2nd)