Gov’t pushes local manufacturing of farm machinery to cut imports

The government has renewed its push to manufacture agricultural machinery locally in a bid to cut imports and lower costs for farmers. Speaking at the launch of the New Holland Agriculture distribution business in Kenya, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau said the move is part of the national industrialisation agenda to support local production. She noted this will improve access to machinery for farmers in the short and medium term. Inchcape Kenya Managing Director Marion Gathoga-Mwangi said expanding affordable financing for mechanisation will be critical for small-scale farmers.