Is Solar Energy the Magic Bullet for Kenya's Agriculture Sector?

From Agriculture to Agribusiness, the Prospects of Formalization

BY JOHN MUSYOKA

Kenya's agriculture sector is the backbone of its economy, accounting for over 21.2% of GDP and employing 70% of the rural population. However, food loss and waste remain major drags on the sector's productivity and profitability United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) estimates indicate that on Post-Harvest Losses (PHLs) can reach up to 20 per cent for cereals, 30 per cent for dairy and fish and 40 per cent for fruit and vegetables before reaching the consumer

To put this into perspective, almost one-third of a season's harvest is lost along the value chain from harvest to consumption These losses represent billions in lost revenue annually.

Solar energy presents a clean, low-cost technology and a renewable solution to mitigate PHLs across Kenya's agricultural value chains Solar-powered refrigeration and cold storage can extend the shelf life of perishable crops like green grams, pigeon peas, and dairy products Solar dryers can preserve fruits, vegetables, and grains by removing moisture, inhibiting microbial growth, and protecting nutritional content

Replacing diesel generators with solar-powered irrigation pumps reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions while providing a consistent water supply Solar-powered milling, pressing, and processing equipment allows valueaddition of commodities near production sites versus transport to centralized facilities This saves time and preserves quality

Solar mini grids can electrify rural agricultural communities currently lacking reliable power. This enables use of productivity-enhancing equipment, cold storage, and food processing It also provides energy for value-adding activities like milling, grinding, and packaging

Transitioning Kenya's agriculture sector to solar power will require public and private investments But the longterm payoff is massive Solar energy can transform the productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience of Kenya's entire agricultural value chain while creating green jobs across rural areas Powered by the sun, the future of Kenyan agriculture is bright