Njoro: When Vincent Chelule walks through his wheat field in Chesoton, Njoro, he is not simply looking at a crop. He is looking at a family tradition, a business, and, increasingly, a difficult calculation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chelule, who began his wheat farming journey in 1994 inspired by his father’s footsteps, experienced a decline in the attractiveness of wheat farming due to rising production costs and decreasing yields. This led him to halt wheat cultivation to re-evaluate the profitability of the crop. Eventually, he returned to the fields and found a niche in seed production and bulking, currently farming about 20 acres with a rotation of wheat and other crops. However, the fundamental issue for farmers like Chelule remains the market price, which fails to cover the escalating production costs.
Kenya faces a significant challenge in its wheat industry as production remains far below the national demand despite wheat being the second most important food cereal after maize. According to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), Kenya produced around 350,000 tonnes of wheat in 2024, far short of the 2.2 to 2.4 million tonnes consumed, with more than three-quarters of the requirement being met through imports. While the demand gap presents an opportunity for farmers, the high costs associated with wheat cultivation deter profitability.
Chelule highlights the difficulties faced by ordinary grain farmers, with rising fuel prices increasing land preparation and harvesting costs. Producing one acre of wheat can cost over Sh50,000, and with wheat selling at Sh6,000 per 90-kilogramme bag, farmers need a substantial yield to cover costs. Poor harvests, like the one he experienced last year due to drought, can turn a season’s toil into a loss. The market’s volatility further exacerbates the situation, as farmers often struggle to find buyers and end up selling at a loss.
KALRO wheat breeder Dr. Martin Lagat points out that the market problem is one of several pressures contributing to declining wheat production. Rising costs of inputs, labor, and land, coupled with the subdivision of farms into smaller parcels, make mechanized production challenging. Many farmers have shifted focus to crops perceived as more profitable or less costly.
KALRO’s efforts to develop tougher, high-yielding wheat varieties are part of the solution. The organization’s breeding program has significantly improved yield potentials, yet farmers need to be informed and convinced of these new varieties’ benefits. Chelule, who works with KALRO and grows the Jacana variety, emphasizes the importance of information dissemination among farmers.
Moreover, diseases like wheat rust pose a significant threat, with resistant varieties being crucial for sustainable production. KALRO’s collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) aims to identify resistant wheat lines, though evolving pathogens require integrated management approaches.
Weather unpredictability further complicates wheat farming in Kenya, as farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture. Chelule recounts the challenges of excessive rain followed by drought, affecting crop growth and yield. KALRO’s research into drought-tolerant varieties and soil management aims to mitigate these challenges.
For seed farmers like Chelule, the production process involves meticulous management to prevent contamination and ensure quality. Rising chemical costs pose an additional burden, particularly for small-scale farmers who cannot afford large package sizes designed for extensive acreage.
Land subdivision into residential plots presents another invisible threat, diminishing farmland available for wheat cultivation. Despite the challenges, Chelule continues planting wheat, driven by a hope for better circumstances.
Ultimately, while scientific advancements can aid in growing a better crop, the larger issue remains whether Kenya can create favorable conditions that make wheat farming a viable and profitable endeavor for farmers like Vincent Chelule.
