Murang’a County is witnessing a surge in rice cultivation as local farmers embrace the cereal crop, traditionally grown in Kenya’s established irrigation schemes such as Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala, and West Kano. In Kimathi division, Kiharu constituency, tens of rice paddies now adorn farms, signaling a growing interest in the crop. Phillis Njeri, 40, is among the farmers who abandoned maize and beans in 2019 to focus on rice, inspired by high returns from neighboring farms. Leasing a one-acre plot initially, Njeri has expanded to a two-acre rice farm, reaping both financial and social benefits from the enterprise.
Rice farming in the region has been bolstered by irrigation initiatives such as the Kimathi-Githuuri water project, which provides reliable water supply from the nearby River Sagana. The crop is highly adaptable, capable of thriving in sandy to silty loam soils with a pH range of 5.0 to 9.0, and can tolerate seasonal flooding. Farmers prepare the land using ploughing and harrowing, followed by mechanized planting and harvesting with combine harvesters from Mwea, significantly reducing labor costs. Despite challenges such as prolonged cold spells, Njeri harvested 20 sacks of 50-kilogram rice from her one-acre plot last season, generating over Sh120,000 and transforming her household income.
Local farmers and farmworkers alike are benefiting from this growing industry, with the county encouraging residents to tap into rice farming due to its lucrative potential. Experts and farmers note that rice is widely consumed, relatively easy to manage, and offers strong market opportunities if irrigation is available. As more Murang’a farmers adopt the crop, the region is poised to become a key player in Kenya’s rice production, supporting both livelihoods and food security while contributing to local economic growth.