Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has launched a new national initiative aimed at scaling up the production of sunflower, soybean and other oil crops in a bid to reduce Kenya’s heavy reliance on imported edible oils.
The initiative was unveiled during the opening of the Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026 at the headquarters of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) Seeds in Thika, where farmers, researchers, agribusiness investors and government officials gathered to explore new agricultural technologies and business opportunities.
Kenya currently consumes approximately 600,000 metric tonnes of edible oils annually, but more than 90 to 95 percent of that demand is met through imports.
Government figures show the country spent more than Sh145 billion on imported edible oils in 2022 alone, a cost officials say can be significantly reduced through local production.
Speaking at the launch, Kagwe said expanding the cultivation of sunflower and soybean could help the country cut its import bill while boosting farmer incomes and stimulating local agro-processing industries.
“Kenya cannot continue spending over KSh145 billion every year importing edible oil while our farmers have the capacity to grow the crops locally,” Kagwe said.
“By scaling up sunflower and soybean production, we can strengthen food security, create jobs and build a vibrant agro-processing sector.”
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is working closely with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and other stakeholders to implement the initiative through several key interventions.
These include developing and distributing high-yielding seed varieties, strengthening seed multiplication and distribution systems, supporting farmer groups and cooperatives, promoting private sector investment in processing and value addition and improving market linkages between farmers and processors.
Kagwe emphasised that access to improved seeds and reliable markets would be critical in encouraging farmers to shift into oil-crop production.
“Our goal is to ensure farmers receive high-quality seeds, modern production technologies and guaranteed markets so that sunflower and soybean farming becomes both profitable and sustainable,” he said.
The Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026 is designed as a platform for connecting farmers with new agricultural technologies, research innovations and business partners.
Exhibitors at the event are showcasing improved seed varieties, mechanization solutions and digital agriculture tools aimed at transforming farming into a modern, competitive agribusiness sector.
According to data presented by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation ahead of the expo, Kenya’s dependence on imported edible oils remains among the highest in the region, highlighting the urgency of promoting domestic oil-crop production.
Officials say the newly launched initiative could open new economic opportunities for farmers, particularly youth and women, while strengthening the country’s agricultural value chains.
“If we invest in the right seeds, technology and markets, Kenya can produce a significant portion of the edible oil we currently import,” Kagwe said.
“This initiative is about unlocking that potential and building a stronger agricultural economy.”
