By Philip Mwakio

Kenya’s Coast is slowly emerging as a new frontier in the farming of rice, the country’s third staple food after maize and wheat.

Coast Provincial Director of Agriculture, Phoebe Odhiambo, said the region’s yields have been rising steadily, as the nation steps up efforts to cut down on heavy imports of rice.

“This year alone, a total of 6,018 metric tonnes of rice have been harvested, up from an initial 1,917 metric tonnes of rice harvested in 2007,” the agricultural officer said.

The official added that a new rice variety, New Rice for Africa (Nerica 4) which has been introduced for driers lands in the region would boost yields further.

Rice consumption is estimated at 300,000 metric tonnes compared to a production capacity of 45,000-80,000 metric tonnes.

“Coast region has the potential to cut the deficit considerably,” she added. Adhiambo said the ministry was currently working on eight seed bulking sites with total surface area of 464 hectares to bulk 34.8 tonnes of Nerica 4 variety, which would produce 835.2 tonnes of seeds to be distributed to rice farmers in the region.

“ There is plenty of land available, with most of the flood plains being virgin, and available irrigation water from the River Tana, River Umba, which originates from Tanzania highlands and marshy lands spot,” she said. Traditional knowledge of local communities on rice growing and production is also an added advantage.

Viable Venture

“It is only a matter of time before rice production could be transformed into a viable commercial venture for the local farmers,” she explained.

Areas which are known to harbor potential in rice farming include the irrigated farmlands of Tana and Athi River Development Authority (Tarda) in Tana Delta, Bura and Hola irrigation schemes, and Vanga in Msambweni District of Kwale County.

The Coast Development Authority (CDA) had earlier announced an ambitious plan to put 40,000 hectares under rice irrigation, which would bring together over 3,000 farmers in Kwale County.

CDA Managing Director, James Mangi had hinted at the possibility of sinking in Sh4 billion to expand rice production in the Vanga region of Kwale County.