{
  "id": 12629213,
  "title": "Agriculture and Food Security Transformation Summit: Kindiki backs precision farming as El Niño threatens food supply",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/agriculture-and-food-security-transformation-summit-kindiki-backs",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T12:57:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/agriculture-and-food-security-transformation-summit-kindiki-backs-precision-farming-as-el-nino-threatens-food-supply"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deputy President Kithure Kindiki called on Kenyan farmers to speed up the adoption of precision agriculture during a summit held in Nairobi on October 7, 2026. He stressed the importance of technology in enhancing the competitiveness of Kenya's agriculture sector, citing drones, improved crop varieties, and better livestock breeds. Kindiki highlighted how precision farming enables farmers to apply fertilizers and pesticides only where necessary, reducing unnecessary use of expensive inputs and optimizing resource utilization. The push for technology is vital as food remains a significant portion of household expenses, with food and non-alcoholic beverages experiencing a 9.5% inflation rate in September 2026. For farmers, rising production costs pose a significant challenge, with agriculture's gross value added increasing by 2.8% in 2025, despite a 12% increase in intermediate consumption, including inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and fuel. Kindiki noted that the government has reduced the price of fertilizers and certified maize seeds, as well as the cost of sexed semen for dairy artificial insemination, which can help lower farmers' upfront costs. However, the challenge lies in ensuring efficient deployment of these inputs. The summit featured discussions on agricultural digital infrastructure, precision services, geospatial intelligence, and traceability, underscoring the growing role of data and technology in agricultural production. The government has expanded its farmer database, growing from 300,000 farmers to 7.2 million crop farmers and three million livestock keepers. Despite the potential benefits, the commercial success of these advancements depends on farmers' access to technology, connectivity, skills, and finance. As Kenya enters a high-risk October-December rainfall season due to El Niño, the Kenya Meteorological Service warns of potential waterlogging, crop diseases, and transport disruptions, while FEWS NET expects above-average short rains, increasing the risk of post-harvest losses and aflatoxin contamination. The changing risk profile presents opportunities for agribusinesses to capitalize on technologies aiding farmers in monitoring crops, managing inputs, and responding to weather conditions. Kindiki emphasized that the next phase of Kenya's agricultural transformation will depend on using technology, data, and farm inputs more precisely to achieve higher productivity, lower waste, and stronger farmer incomes.",
  "summary": "Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged Kenyan farmers to accelerate the adoption of precision agriculture as the country seeks to lower production costs and protect food supplies amid rising food prices and the threat of disruptive El Niño rains. Speaking at the Agriculture and Food Security Transformation Summit at Jamhuri Park ASK Showground in Nairobi […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "CIKoD trains Agriculture Extension Officers on agro-ecological farming in Upper East",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/cikod-trains-agriculture-extension-officers-on-agro-ecological",
        "published": "2026-10-07T10:48:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}