The Directorate was established under the Agriculture and Food Authority Act of 2013 with the mandate of developing, regulating and promoting Kenya's food crops sub-sector, as well as ensuring that it remains a major contributor to the country's economy. The Directorate is in charge of regulating and carrying out policies and programs aimed at improving food crop and commodity production, processing, and marketing. The Food Crops Directorate works with other government agencies, dealers, farmers, and stakeholders to ensure that Kenya's food crops sub-sector runs smoothly and responsibly.