Nairobi: The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has called for accelerated commercialization of agriculture and stronger adoption of technology to boost productivity, value addition, and export competitiveness. Speaking during the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo 2026, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto highlighted the challenges smallholder farmers face in benefiting from modern technologies, despite agriculture’s significant contribution to the nation’s GDP and export earnings.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Rutto emphasized that innovations like precision farming, automated irrigation systems, and digital monitoring tools are transforming large-scale production but have yet to be widely adopted by smallholders. He stressed the need for technology and commercialization to work in tandem to transform agriculture into a significant economic driver. Dr. Rutto also advocated for increased mechanization and investment in climate-smart agriculture, particularly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
He urged the government to maintain tax incentives on agricultural inputs and clean energy technologies, warning that increased taxation could deter investment in the sector. Dr. Rutto outlined a transformation agenda that focuses on value addition, agribusiness skills development, enhanced technology transfer through international partnerships, and stronger cooperative models to provide farmers access to modern equipment.
KNCCI and KALRO pledged to collaborate more closely to bridge the gap between research and industry, ensuring innovations are commercialized effectively and reach both local and international markets. Dr. Rutto noted that KNCCI’s extensive network positions it to connect researchers with markets, with a significant portion of active exporters operating in the agricultural sector.
Dr. Rutto cited Kenya’s success in tea and horticultural exports as evidence of research’s role in driving competitiveness but warned that limited value addition continues to constrain earnings. He emphasized the potential for value-added tea products and other agro-based industries if research is effectively linked to markets.
Emerging opportunities in livestock exports were also highlighted, with strong demand from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, he noted that Kenya must address challenges related to production volumes, quality standards, and consistency to fully capitalize on these markets.
Dr. Rutto pointed to ongoing initiatives like the Jiinue Growth Programme and the Climate Smart Dairy Project, which support agribusiness financing and promote sustainable farming practices. He mentioned recent trade missions to Saudi Arabia and Namibia as avenues for new opportunities in agricultural exports, investment, and technology transfer.
Dr. Rutto reaffirmed KNCCI’s commitment to ensuring research translates into commercial opportunities, stronger exports, and improved livelihoods for farmers, emphasizing the need for Kenya to harness its agricultural potential for long-term economic resilience.
The 2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo, themed ‘Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food Systems, Climate Change Resilience, and Improved Livelihoods,’ brought together researchers, farmers, and agribusinesses to showcase agricultural breakthroughs.
