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President William Ruto enjoys roast maize at Kipkeikiei High School in Trans Nzoia County when he opened the school library. [File, Standard]

The agricultural sector rebounded strongly last year influencing the Kenyan economy to grow by 5.6 per cent in that year, compared to the 4.9 per cent growth rate in the previous year.

Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra) in its economic report on the country has said that the strong growth in the sector is attributed to favourable weather conditions and the government fertiliser subsidy to farmers.

“Despite the increasing use of intermediaries like fertilisers, the growth hasn’t necessarily translated into higher production or improved productivity within the sector,” the summary of the report themed ‘‘Enhancing Productivity’’ for Sustained Inclusive Growth read in part.

Even as the sector records strong contributions to economic growth, it continues to record low productivity, as a result of overreliance on rain-fed agriculture, low mechanisation, and technological adoption.

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