Speaking at the annual agricultural exhibition of the Kaimosi Agricultural Research and Training Center (KARTC) held in early August 2026, Mudawadi officially presented a new curriculum with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and opened new student dormitories. Today, strengthening agricultural education and scientific research is crucial for the implementation of the national development program. The Prime Minister praised KARTC's contribution to research, innovation and human resource development, calling the institution one of the pillars of Kenya's agricultural transformation.
Along with institutions such as the Bukura Agricultural College, the Kenya School of Agriculture, the Dairy Training Institute, and the Institute of Animal Health and Industry Education (AHITI), KARTC has played an important role in strengthening the country's agricultural potential over the years. Mudavadi also thanked FAO for its continued partnership with Kenya on food security, climate-adapted agriculture, farmer education, and sustainable industry development.
«This sector accounts for about a third of our gross domestic product, supports more than 70% of rural households, and provides a livelihood for millions of Kenyans. But more importantly, agriculture is crucial to our food sovereignty, economic sustainability, and national well-being. A country that can feed itself is a country that builds its own future», Mudavadi said.
He stressed that the government under the leadership of President William Ruto has made agriculture the central focus of the «Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda», directing targeted investments to increase productivity and incomes of farmers.
According to Mudavadi, steps such as subsidizing fertilizers, expanding irrigation systems, mechanization, access to high-quality seeds, as well as reforms in the coffee and sugar sectors are already yielding tangible results. «Thanks to fertilizer subsidies, investments in irrigation, mechanization, high-quality seeds, and reforms in the coffee and sugar industries, Kenya has already seen an increase in corn production, increased yields, and restored farmers' confidence. Our goal is very clear: to make farming profitable, create jobs, increase exports, and raise millions of Kenyans to a middle-income economy», he said.
The Prime Minister, however, warned that climate change remains one of the most serious threats to the agricultural sector, and called for increased investment in climate-adapted technologies, water conservation, and agricultural research. He stressed that research institutions such as KARTC play a crucial role in developing innovations that will help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions without losing productivity.
Agriculture is becoming an increasingly important element of Kenya's foreign policy through «agricultural diplomacy», which helps the country enter new export markets, attract investment, and strengthen its position as a regional agribusiness hub. Mudawadi added that it is necessary to pay more attention to processing and added value of products in order to increase incomes, create jobs and encourage young people to perceive agriculture as a technological business rather than as a subsistence economy.
By officially launching a training program with the support of FAO and opening new student dormitories, Mudavadi called on all stakeholders to redouble efforts to educate young people, adopt climate-resilient practices, and link research and markets so that Kenya can ensure its long-term food security.
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