By Eddah Waithaka
Kenya’s agriculture sector is poised for transformation as the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) unveiled its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan on August 14, drawing praise from senior government officials, stakeholders and industry experts at an event that promises to redefine the country’s agricultural landscape.
Speaking at the event, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Andrew Karanja, emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Kenya’s economy and the importance of the new strategy in achieving food security and economic growth.
His Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, was in attendance, lending his support to the initiative.
At a critical time for Kenya’s agriculture sector, the launch of the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan could not be more timely. The sector is facing daunting hurdles such as climate change, declining yields, and limited market and financial opportunities. The plan aptly charts a path forward, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity as core pillars to address these challenges head-on.
During his speech, CS Dr. Karanja stressed the central aims of the initiative, such as amplifying agricultural yield, fostering value enhancement, and elevating the welfare of small-scale farmers. “This blueprint is pivotal for reshaping Kenya’s agricultural landscape. It spotlights the embracement of climate-resilient farming practices, broader market reach, and technology utilization to amplify output and curb post-harvest wastage,” Dr. Karanja remarked.
The CS also noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing about 33% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employing over 40% of the total population. He expressed confidence that the strategic plan would help achieve the government’s goal of ensuring food security and improving the welfare of farmers.
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In his statement, PS Dr. Ronoh repeated the government’s dedication to bolstering the execution of the strategic blueprint, underlining its harmony with Kenya’s overarching national development objectives as delineated in Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda. He underscored that realizing the plan’s objectives hinges on collaborative efforts among a spectrum of stakeholders, encompassing the private sector, development allies, and the farming community.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the necessary resources are allocated to support the implementation of this plan. We will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the objectives set out in the strategy are achieved,” said Dr. Ronoh.
The launch event was attended by representatives from various agricultural organizations, financial institutions, and development partners, who expressed optimism about the strategic plan’s potential to drive growth in the sector. Many stakeholders noted that the emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, value addition, and market access was timely, given the changing dynamics of the global agricultural landscape.
