Kenyan farmers now have access to seven newly released soybean varieties, marking a major step toward boosting agricultural productivity, lowering animal feed costs, and reducing reliance on imported cooking oil. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), in partnership with the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), has produced 40 tonnes of seed, with plans to scale up to 400,000 tonnes based on demand.
KALRO chairman Dr. Thuo Mathenge and Director General Dr. Eliud Kireger emphasized the crop’s high nutritional and economic value, urging youth to embrace soybean farming. With cooking oil imports costing Kenya Sh117 billion in 2024, the government aims to cut this expense while promoting food security, youth employment, and value addition. Farmers can access seeds at KALRO’s 18 Mkulima shops nationwide.
