National Grain Reserves to Include Traditional Crops: A Policy Shift to Promote Crop Diversity

In a major policy shift, the Kenyan Government has announced plans to include traditional and underutilized crops such as sorghum, millet, pigeon peas, and green grams in the National Grain Reserve.

Previously dominated by maize and wheat, the strategic reserves are being diversified to improve food security and promote climate-smart agriculture.

Why the Shift?

• Traditional crops are more drought-tolerant and nutrient-dense
• Diversification reduces over-reliance on maize, minimizing food insecurity risks
• Encourages farmers to grow indigenous varieties with ready market support
• According to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mithika Linturi, this inclusion will support regional grain aggregation hubs and offer stable prices for smallholder farmers producing these crops.

What This Means for Farmers:

• Guaranteed offtake markets through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB)
• Access to improved seed varieties for drought-resilient crops
• Agro-processing investments for value-added traditional food products

This move is also expected to encourage seed companies to scale up certified production of sorghum and millet varieties, boosting both seed and food systems in Kenya.