Feature: Chinese-made farm machines boost productivity for Kenyan farmers

Dylan Zhang (5th L), sales manager at Sincerity International Group, poses for a group photo with local farmers at a general machine dealer promotion event in Nakuru county, Kenya, July 26, 2024. (Xinhua)

NAIROBI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of Naro Moru, about 173 kilometers from Kenya's capital, Nairobi, a Chinese-made plough has transformed how farmer Peter Kimani cultivates his land. Kimani, who owns the machine, said it has not only made his work easier but has also significantly boosted his harvest.

"I bought this machine a few months ago after searching for an affordable and suitable plough. My search led me to a Chinese company in Nairobi," Kimani said. After visiting the supplier, China's Sincerity International Group, and inspecting the machine, he decided to purchase it for 130,000 Kenyan shillings (about 1,000 U.S. dollars).

Kimani was particularly impressed by the machine's features. It runs on diesel, can be linked to a chaff-cutter for cutting fodder, and has sturdy steel wheels, qualities that matched the needs of local farmers.

Kimani, who grows Irish beans and garden peas for export, as well as carrots for the local market, now uses the machine to plough his four-acre farm. "This is my second crop since I started using the plough," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua, adding that he previously relied on oxen to till the land.

Dylan Zhang, sales manager at Sincerity International Group, said that the company provides a range of machines that handle tasks such as tilling, sowing, irrigation, weeding and harvesting, helping Kenyan farmers improve labor efficiency and increase production.

"Our goal is to ease the burden on rural labor and improve production efficiency," Zhang said. "For many years, farming relied heavily on manual labor, making the work arduous for farmers. With advancements in science and technology, we are integrating mechanization into agriculture to enhance productivity."

Zhang said that Sincerity International has distributors across Kenya, making it easy for both small- and large-scale farmers to access quality machinery at affordable prices. "Our prices range from as low as 54 dollars to 1,163 dollars for general, sowing, irrigation, semi-processing and micro-tillage machines," he noted.

The company's efforts align with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, which aims to support Africa's agricultural sector by investing in infrastructure, research and mechanization to boost food security. Cooperation within this framework is expected to increase agricultural productivity in Africa and drive Chinese imports of farm products from the continent.

In Kenya, the BRI has facilitated knowledge exchange and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, with Chinese research institutions collaborating with local universities such as Egerton and Jomo Kenyatta University. These partnerships have led to the development of high-yielding seed varieties and strategies to combat crop diseases.

Experts at a forum in Nairobi on Auguest highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing agricultural modernization, tackling hunger and reducing rural poverty. Ye Yujiang, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said that partnerships between China and Africa could enhance food security and improve rural incomes.

"As a Chinese agricultural machinery company, we are proud to contribute to Kenya's agricultural modernization, and we are committed to doing even more," Zhang said.

Felister Makini, deputy director general of Research and Partnerships at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, praised China's efforts in training, technology transfer and innovation, which have helped small-scale farmers increase crop yields.

Kimani said that mechanization among Kenyan farmers remains low due to high costs. However, he believes that Chinese companies can change this by providing affordable solutions. Before purchasing machines from Sincerity International Group, farmers receive training on usage, repair and maintenance, ensuring they can operate the equipment efficiently on their farms.

"These Chinese machines are intelligent, automated and precise, which helps improve labor productivity and reduce agricultural production costs. We are very satisfied with the results," Kimani said. ■

Local government officials visit the booth of a Chinese agricultural machine company at an agricultural fair in Kitui county, Kenya, July 26, 2024. (Xinhua)