Kenya's agriculture sector powered the nation's economic growth to 5.6 percent in 2023, up from 4.9 percent in 2022, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics' (KNBS) Economic Survey 2024.
The KNBS survey highlights the dynamic performance of various agricultural produce. One of the standout achievements in the report is the increase in maize production, soaring by 38.8 percent from 34.3 million bags in 2022 to 47.6 million bags in 2023. This surge is attributed to favorable weather conditions and enhanced fertilizer application strategies.
"Production of maize increased by 38.8 percent from 34.3 million bags in 2022 to 47.6 million bags in 2023. This is partly attributed to favorable weather conditions with above-average rainfall and increased application of fertilizer in 2023," the report states. Similarly, beans, potatoes, and sorghum witnessed substantial growth rates of 15.7 percent, 29.4 percent, and 72.2 percent, respectively, underscoring the sector's robust resurgence.
The report also delves into the significance of market dynamics. Between March 2022 and March 2023, maize, potatoes, and cabbages experienced significant price hikes of 69.0 percent, 63.3 percent, and 50.2 percent, respectively. Conversely, finger millet prices saw a modest increase of 7.3 percent. September 2023 witnessed a fluctuation in prices, with beans, cabbages, and potatoes observing notable increases while maize prices experienced a slight dip.
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