Kenya’s agriculture — long celebrated as the backbone of its economy — is being tested by a perfect storm of erratic rainfall, escalating input costs, and shrinking arable land. Despite contributing nearly a quarter of the national GDP and employing millions, the sector remains vulnerable, with most smallholder farmers still dependent on rain-fed production.
It is against this backdrop that Yara East Africa, one of the country’s leading agricultural solutions providers and a subsidiary of the global Yara International, marked 30 years of operations in Kenya during the Agitech Grand Expo held in Mwea, Kirinyaga County. The event became more than a corporate milestone — it was a statement on the future of Kenya’s food systems.
Yara used the occasion to unveil a new generation of nitrate-based fertiliser blends, including products such as Yara Power+, Yara JAVA, and NPK 25:5:5 +3S, all formulated to restore soil health and increase yields sustainably. The company also showcased its expanding portfolio of digital learning platforms and precision agriculture tools, which enable farmers to apply fertiliser more efficiently, conserve resources, and improve productivity per acre.
“When we started, Kenya faced frequent fertiliser shortages and limited knowledge on soil nutrition,” said William Ngeno, Country Manager for Yara East Africa. “Over the years, we have worked with farmers, researchers, and government agencies to develop crop-specific solutions and promote practices that protect both yields and the environment.”
According to Yara, its operations have grown from a modest base in the early 1990s to reach over 10,000 farmers annually through knowledge centres and agronomy training across key production zones. The company has invested in local blending plants to guarantee reliable fertiliser supply while promoting balanced nutrition through soil testing and data-driven application.
Kenya consumes approximately 630,000 tonnes of fertiliser annually, the bulk of it imported or blended locally from imported raw materials. With 93 percent of the national fertiliser mix being nitrogen-, phosphorus-, or potassium-based, Kenya remains exposed to global price fluctuations. The lack of large-scale domestic production, analysts warn, makes the country vulnerable to supply disruptions — an issue that Yara’s local blending investments aim to mitigate.
“Our goal is for every farmer to understand their soil, apply the right nutrients, and build resilience against climate shocks,” Ngeno added. “Transformation in agriculture is no longer optional — no country has reached middle-income status without first transforming its farming systems.”
Beyond input supply, Yara is pushing to make agriculture more appealing to young entrepreneurs, emphasizing opportunities in value addition, agro-processing, and digital advisory services. The company’s strategy aligns with a broader push to move Kenyan agriculture from subsistence to business — a shift critical for employment creation and food security.
“Kenya’s youth should see farming not as a fallback but as a business,” said Ngeno. “With the right support, agriculture can create thousands of decent jobs and drive inclusive growth.”
Yara’s 30-year milestone comes at a defining moment for Kenya’s agriculture. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, agriculture’s contribution to GDP has hovered between 21 and 25 percent in recent years, yet the sector’s growth remains inconsistent due to recurrent droughts, pest invasions, and high production costs. A GIZ 2025 study notes that productivity remains low, with average maize yields at just 0.7 tonnes per acre compared to over 3.5 tonnes per acre among farmers using improved agronomic practices promoted through Yara’s knowledge centres.
As climate variability continues to challenge traditional farming methods, the company’s focus on climate-smart agriculture and regenerative practices reflects a growing consensus among development partners that the future of Kenyan agriculture depends on sustainability and precision.
The Mwea Expo showcased partnerships between Yara, county governments, research institutions, and tech innovators — signalling a stronger public–private alliance in tackling structural bottlenecks such as poor soil fertility, limited irrigation, and weak farmer financing. Stakeholders agreed that scaling digital tools and reliable input supply will determine whether Kenya can transform its agricultural sector into a competitive and resilient industry.
Looking ahead, Yara outlined five strategic pillars for its next decade in Kenya: ensuring consistent supply of crop-specific fertilisers; expanding blending capacity; investing in soil health management; strengthening farmer capacity through digital platforms; and driving climate-neutral production aligned with global sustainability goals.
From a business perspective, this represents a pivot from being a fertiliser company to becoming a knowledge and technology partner — one capable of shaping policy discussions and driving long-term impact across value chains.
For Kenya, the implications are broader. The success of firms like Yara in delivering innovation and farmer support will directly influence how fast the country transitions from vulnerability to resilience — from producing enough to feeding sustainably.
As the sector stands at the intersection of climate, technology, and economics, Yara’s 30-year journey offers a glimpse of what a data-driven, partnership-led, and climate-smart agricultural future could look like.