President William Ruto’s administration announced plans to enhance food production and security through improved agricultural mechanisation. Data from the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) indicate 30% of arable land in Kenya is under agricultural mechanisation.
Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Agriculture Paul Rono revealed that Kenya plans to grow the number to 50% by 2029. The move attracted leading industry players like Simba Colt Aspire and Mahindra to initiate a partnership to help realize government goals.
Small-holder farmers can now receive mechanised farming experience from the government’s agricultural mechanisation programme.
The initiative received a boost from a strategic partnership between Mahindra Tractors, the world’s largest tractor manufacturer and Simba Colt Aspire Ltd, Kenya’s automotive industry.
Speaking during the signing of the deal, Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Agriculture Paul Rono cited the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) showing 30% of arable land under mechanisation.
Rono said the ministry intends to increase the number to 50% by 2029, applauding private players like Simba Colt for making the dream a success. “The Ministry of Agriculture mechanisation programme aims at equipping identified institutions with relevant agricultural machinery and equipment, infrastructure for irrigation, storage, and drying facilities, among other services,” said Rono.
To help private players like Simba Colt and Mahindra realise the government’s food security agenda, Dinesh Kotecha, Simba Corporation Group Chief Executive (CEO) urged Kenya to zero rate the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) currently levied on farm implements, among other incentives for farmers.
“Our commitment to empower farmers is aligned with government initiatives aimed at supporting small scale and medium sized farmers to mechanism.”
“Zero rating VAT on farm implements, same as tractors which don’t attract any duty or VAT, will encourage mechanization by reducing the cost of acquisition of the various additional implements a farmer would need for a complete end-to-end solution in land preparation and management”, said Kotecha.
The agreement will avail Mahindra Tractors across Kenya in three variants offering 25 Horsepower (HP), 75 HP and 92 HP, namely Mahindra 2025, Mahindra 6075 and Mahindra 9200, respectively.
