The government began a countrywide farmers registration exercise to streamline the distribution of subsidised fertiliser and inform the creation of important agricultural policies.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 4, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary(CS) Mithika Linturi stated that the exercise will enable the government to increase food production in the country.
Linturi indicated that data from the exercise, which is free and voluntary, would bring an end to the unresolved issue of fertiliser and seed distribution to rural areas in the country
The CS underscored the importance of the exercise, indicating that it will help the government to plan appropriately for Kenyan farmers to increase food production.
“This will be possible because we will be able to have accurate data on the number of farmers in the country and serve them through the subsidy programme,” he revealed in a statement.
Linturi emphasized that the information collected would enable the government to map out the farmer's specific needs to minimise wastage of resources.
“The data will make it possible to carry out effective pests and diseases management as the government maps out its food security efforts,” the CS indicated.
Linturi's assertions were backed by a statement from the ministry of interior and national administration indicating that the exercise was in response to a presidential directive.
“The data will lead to the establishment of a digitalized national farmer register to weed out rogue traders and impostors who have been taking advantage of farmers” the statement by Raymond Omollo, the Administration Principal Secretary (PS) read in part.
Omollo, further noted that “the elaborate structure set up by the government, would ensure coordinated registration process within the given timelines.”
According to the PS, the government had already instructed enumerators and administrators to adhere to the data protection law during the exercise as its success will demonstrate public trust and confidence in the national administration.
Immaculate Kassait, the data commissioner, emphasised the significance of adhering to data protection principles and assured Kenyans that the information collected during the process would be kept safe and private.
This development is in line with the changes announced by President William Ruto on December 22 that were aimed at eliminating brokers and middlemen from the food production and supply chain in the country.
“The move will ensure the reduction of the cost of food production in the country. This intervention at the production level is right and targeted, and will make farmers produce more,” Ruto announced.
