Yara Marks 30 Years in Kenya, Unveils Bold Promise for the Next 30 Years at Agitech Grand Expo 2025
Yara East Africa, a subsidiary of global agricultural solutions leader Yara International, officially marked its 30th anniversary on October 2, 2025, in Mwea, Kirinyaga County during the Agitech Grand Expo 2025. The event celebrated three decades of agricultural transformation in Kenya while unveiling the company’s bold strategic vision for the next 30 years.
The milestone attracted senior government officials, international partners, agribusiness leaders, and thousands of farmers, among them the Norwegian Ambassador. Yara reaffirmed its mission of advancing food security, strengthening livelihoods, and equipping farmers with science-based crop nutrition solutions that not only increase yields but also protect the environment.
At the heart of the celebrations was the launch of new nitrate-based fertilizer blends Yara Power+, Yara JAVA, and the NPK 25:5:5+3S Blend. These products were presented as symbols of Yara’s enduring commitment to innovation and farmer success. The event also featured exhibitions, demonstration farms, smart technologies, and digital knowledge platforms designed to empower farmers with insights that boost yields, strengthen resilience, and ensure sustainable practices.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Yara East Africa Country Manager William Ngeno expressed pride in the company’s 30-year partnership with Kenyan farmers. He highlighted key contributions, including the development of crop-specific nutrition solutions, investment in local blending facilities, soil health improvement, and farmer training. Ngeno emphasized that Yara’s progress in Kenya has been possible through collaboration with partners, colleagues, and farmers themselves.
The celebrations also highlighted the central role agriculture plays in Kenya’s economy.
The sector contributes more than 25 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 40 percent of the population, and supports 70 percent of rural households. It covers six subsectors: industrial crops, food crops, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry. Despite this importance, smallholder farmers continue to face challenges such as limited access to modern technologies, inadequate infrastructure, financing barriers, and the growing threat of climate change through unpredictable weather patterns and prolonged droughts.
Ngeno underscored the urgency of agricultural transformation, observing that no country has achieved middle-income status without revolutionizing its agriculture. With global population growth and climate change intensifying the demand for food, he noted that the urgency to invest in agriculture has never been greater. He added that agribusiness, value addition, and agro-processing industries present untapped opportunities for job creation, especially for young people.
Sustainability remains central to Yara’s global mission. The company has integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business model, moving beyond corporate social responsibility to embed sustainability in its operations.
International collaboration was highlighted by Norwegian Ambassador in Nairobi, Siv Cathrine Moe, who described Yara as a steadfast and valued partner in advancing sustainable agriculture in the country. She praised the company for empowering farmers, enhancing food security, and promoting environmentally responsible practices. Moe further pledged Norway’s continued support in strengthening partnerships that drive innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth in Kenya’s agriculture sector.
Looking ahead, Yara outlined five strategic pillars to guide its operations in the coming decades. These include delivering quality crop-specific fertilizers tailored to boost yields, investing in local blending plants to ensure year-round supply, enhancing soil health through testing and training, building farmer capacity through workshops and knowledge-sharing, and working towards a climate-neutral and nature-positive food future. The impact of Yara’s technical support was affirmed by testimonials from coffee, horticulture, and maize farmers who reported improved yields and crop quality. Yara also acknowledged the contributions of its technical and impact partners, including the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Cereal Growers Association (CGA), and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP).
Ngeno emphasized that transforming agriculture is essential for driving economic growth and reducing poverty. He noted that the time to sow the seeds of progress had arrived and affirmed Yara Kenya’s readiness to lead the next phase of the country’s agricultural journey. He urged farmers, partners, and stakeholders to join hands with the company in shaping the future of the sector over the next three decades.
