The Mwea rice market intervention 2026 will clear 70,000 bags of locally produced rice. KNTC is purchasing from cooperatives to improve farmers’ cash flow.

Government Steps In for Mwea Rice Market Intervention 2026

The government has launched a major market intervention to clear over 60,000 bags of Mwea rice. The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has committed to purchasing locally produced rice in a move to ease storage constraints, improve farmers’ cash flow, and strengthen Kenya’s domestic rice value chain.

The exercise is being undertaken jointly by KNTC, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), and farmers cooperatives led by Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society. It comes as farmers prepare for another harvest while thousands of bags from the previous season remain in storage awaiting buyers.

Speaking during an inspection tour in Mwea, AFA Ag. Director General Calistus Kundu said the government remains committed to ensuring Kenyan farmers have a dependable market for their produce. He noted that supporting local production is critical as the country works to increase domestic rice output.

Leading the exercise, KNTC Managing Director Lucy Anangwe said KNTC has committed to purchasing all local rice currently held by the cooperatives. Deliveries are expected to continue through mid-August before the rice is distributed to public institutions across the country.

“We are here to assess the situation on the ground and reassure farmers that the Government remains committed to supporting the marketing of locally produced rice. KNTC is fully committed to mopping up the rice produced by farmers,” Anangwe said.

The MRGM Cooperative Society, which represents more than 80 per cent of rice farmers in the region, currently holds over 30,000 bags in storage. It expects another 25,000 bags during this third crop season. Self-help groups are holding over 15,000 bags. This brings the total volume targeted under the Mwea rice market intervention 2026 to over 70,000 bags.

To accelerate deliveries, KNTC and MRGM cooperative have agreed on a schedule of at least two truckloads per day. The milling plant will introduce a third processing shift, increasing daily output to 56 tonnes of milled rice and creating additional employment opportunities.

The Mwea rice market intervention 2026 is a critical step in addressing the challenges facing rice farmers. For months, farmers have struggled to find buyers for their produce. Storage has become a problem. Payments have been delayed. The intervention aims to change this.

The cooperative’s CEO, Anthony Waweru, said delayed marketing had affected farmer payments but expressed confidence that the new arrangement would restore normal operations.

“We had expected to pay farmers earlier, but marketing challenges delayed the process. With KNTC now taking up the rice, we expect to clear the current stock within a month and begin paying farmers by July 20,” Waweru said.

Officials said the Mwea rice market intervention 2026 is designed to strengthen Kenya’s domestic rice value chain and improve returns to farmers. It complements the country’s broader efforts to meet national rice demand through both increased local production and strategic imports.

The government has shown that it is committed to supporting local farmers. The Mwea rice market intervention 2026 is evidence of that commitment. The work continues. More interventions will be needed. But for now, the farmers of Mwea have reason to hope. Their rice will be sold. Their payments will come. Their livelihoods will be secured.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Mwea-rice-market-intervention-2026-will-clear-70000-bags-of-locally-produced-rice.-KNTC-is-purchasing-from-cooperatives-to-improve-farmers-cash-flow.jpeghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Mwea-rice-market-intervention-2026-will-clear-70000-bags-of-locally-produced-rice.-KNTC-is-purchasing-from-cooperatives-to-improve-farmers-cash-flow-150x150.jpegFarmersTrendFarming NewsThe Mwea rice market intervention 2026 will clear 70,000 bags of locally produced rice. KNTC is purchasing from cooperatives to improve farmers' cash flow.The government has launched a major market intervention to clear over 60,000 bags of Mwea rice. The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has committed to purchasing...New Generation Culture in Agriculture