President William Ruto has said Kenyans should channel their energy towards producing enough for export rather than importing foods.
He affirmed that the country has the potential to feed its people and sell the surplus to other countries.
"We must turn agriculture into a commercial economic activity," he said.
Ruto spoke during a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Trade, governors and development partners.
He said it was time for the government to take bold and progressive policy decisions were pursued to make the country produce more.
The President added that land in regions such as Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, among other arid areas should not be lying idle.
"Commercial irrigation will turn these regions into our food baskets. Water harvesting will, therefore, form the main part of our country’s transformation plans."
Thursday's meeting focused on the promotion of trade, strengthening of market linkages, and the establishment of aggregation centres and industrial parks in counties.
Ruto explained that the government was consolidating main trading blocs in Africa with an aim to give value to farmers.
"We should allow our farmers to earn more from their sweat by exploiting new and lucrative markets for them," he said.
The President added that Kenya's products are premium and much sought-after in the world.
"We have agreed to work together to promote investment and trade so as to stimulate our country's economic growth," Ruto said.
