Wheat Farming and Consumption in Kenya

Consumption patterns in Kenya have changed over the years and most people depend on wheat for their daily meals. Consumption of wheat products has grown significantly among the different groups of people but statistics have shown that the rate is higher in the higher income groups.

Though not nearly as widely grown as maize or rice, wheat is an important component of the country’s domestic food production – being grown on about 4 percent of the country’s arable land (160,000 hectares out of 4,000,000 hectares of arable land).

Domestic wheat consumption increased from 671,000 tonnes in 2004 to 1,850,000 tonnes in 2014. Despite the fact that the consumption rate is high, its production seems to be lower than it is expected. This has forced the country to import the commodity when the country is in a position of producing it to feed its people.

Farmers have been abandoning wheat farming over the last few years with complains of experiencing losses. 

Kenya imports about 60 percent of its wheat needs, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Population growth and a decrease in domestic production, with some farmers switching to maize, are among the reasons for low wheat production in the country. 

Wheat farming, if well practiced can give out a lot of returns to farmers in Kenya. One-acre piece of land can produce over 20 sacks of wheat. Wheat in a single sack of 100 kgs costs at least Ksh 5,000 therefore if the farmer manages to harvest a minimum of 20 sacks then he will be in a position of making almost Ksh 100,000 in less than 4 months.

However, in order to realize maximum profits, a farmer ought to plant wheat in large scale, which is possible in some parts of Kenya. an advantage of planting wheat in large scale is that it doesn’t require huge labor, unlike maize and tomatoes. It also takes little time from the time they’re planted to harvest time.

Not every region in Kenya can support wheat farming because of the type of soil. But a number of regions have soil which is favorable for the crop. The following are regions you can do wheat farming in Kenya.

1. Kitale
   Anywhere you move in Kitale, there is farming going on; it’s called a hot bed of farming. Apart from Kisii, Kitale is another region in Kenya which feeds the country. The climate is good and the soil is perfect. Land is also enough for large scale farming.

Almost every crop does well in Kitale, except coconuts, which are resistant to low temperatures.

• Narok
  Most parts of Narok have good soils, which produce maximum yields of wheat. As you pass through Narok-Nairobi road, you notice that wheat is scattered everywhere. Since time immemorial wheat has been the main crops planted in Narok.
• Nakuru
  Nakuru is also another town which has potential to give wheat farmers value for their money. Former President Moi always plant wheat in his Kabarak residence. There are also several farmers who engage in wheat farming in the area.
• Kisii
  It rains almost daily in Kisii and the locals love the weather because they are generally farmers.

If you intend to do wheat farming then Kisii is the place to be. Though land is scarce in Kisii, you can always get some, which you can do small scale wheat farming.

• Kajiado
  Most people in Kajiado are pastoralists but few are now embracing farming. Last year, my friend acquired 4 acres of land and planted wheat. When he harvested the crop he immediately sold to Kabansora.The profit he got from the experiment enabled him buy a plot in Kamulu and also continue farming in the land.

Other viable areas include Kericho,Eldoret and Trans Mara.

Article by Vera Shawiza.