Many small farms in Kenya suffer from a variety of production constraints, one of the most significant being over-farming of the land and severe soil quality degradation due to erosion that can occur after plowing. These are conditions that can be addressed with conservation-tillage farming techniques, techniques which, when combined with certified seeds, fertilizer and best management practices, may potentially double production yields for cereal grains and increase farm incomes.
Agriculture is very important to Kenya.
It represents 25 percent of the Kenyan economy and is estimated to provide 80 percent of the country s jobs, and provide about 60 percent of Kenya's export earnings through the sale of farm products. About 45 percent of the government s revenue comes from agriculture. More than 3 million small-holder farmers, who work 3.2 million hectares, do not currently have access to the best agricultural inputs and information about best practices. The government agricultural extension agents have a difficult time reaching many of the farmers in rural areas. The current Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Agency are struggling to stretch too few funds to help too many farmers.