NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 16 – The Kenyan government has been urged to invest more in farm mechanization as a key strategy to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, and move the country closer to food self-sufficiency.
Researchers and agricultural stakeholders say Kenya must clearly shift from traditional farming methods to modern mechanized systems that have transformed agriculture in many parts of the world.
They are also calling for stronger partnerships between the government and the private sector to train farmers on modern farming techniques and the benefits of mechanization.
Experts note that Kenya’s fertile highlands remain among the most productive agricultural regions globally and contribute significantly to the country’s food basket. However, the sector’s full potential remains largely untapped as many small-scale farmers continue relying on traditional tools and labour-intensive techniques.
Most farmers still use oxen and hand tools such as jembes to till their land, methods that limit expansion and reduce efficiency.
While some farmers hire tractors to prepare their farms, the service is often charged per hour or per acre, making it expensive and cutting into farmers’ profits.
Agricultural organizations, working with the Agricultural Society of Kenya, are now championing the adoption of modern mechanized tools that are cheaper to maintain and capable of significantly increasing yields.
Through partnerships with international agricultural input providers, including organizations from Thailand, farmers are beginning to access innovative machinery designed for small-scale farming. Some of the machines mimic the traditional oxen-driven ploughing concept but are more efficient and less labour-intensive.
Advocates believe such technologies could help transform smallholder farmers into high-income producers.
Agricultural education is also being integrated into the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which allows learners to pursue career paths aligned with their interests.
Agriculture teachers and experts say introducing students to modern farming techniques early could change long-standing perceptions that farming is outdated or unprofitable.
Students from several high schools in the Nairobi region recently attended a demonstration on modern agricultural technologies at the University of Nairobi’s Kabete Campus, where they learned about the future of mechanized farming.
Stakeholders say mechanization does not replace human labour but instead improves efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Countries that have embraced agricultural mechanization now produce enough food for domestic consumption and even export surplus to neighbouring nations.
The Green Africa Foundation is among organizations spearheading campaigns encouraging the government to prioritise mechanization.
Over the weekend, farmers in Kabete and Kirinyaga County attended training sessions on modern farming equipment, including machinery suited for rice farming in Mwea.
Farmers such as Benjamin Omwenge say access to modern technology could dramatically increase productivity and incomes, while agriculture enthusiast Kephar Rabon believes the younger generation must redefine the future of farming in the country.
Across the sector, many farmers now agree that continued reliance on oxen and manual tools is increasingly outdated, and that embracing mechanization is essential for the future of Kenyan agriculture.