Kenya: Barley - The Alternative Lifeline for Kenyan Wheat Farmers

Kenyan wheat farmers are increasingly switching to barley to escape high costs, rigid pricing, and import competition. The transition is seamless because both crops share identical soil and climate requirements across the Narok-Nakuru-Meru belt. Although the local private sector offers guaranteed pre-planting prices that shield growers from market volatility, increased barley demand in the regional markets has rallied prices, accelerating the pivot towards the crop.