The government in collaboration with the Intersectoral Forum for Agroecology and Agrobiodiversity (ISFAA) has launched the National Agroecology Strategy for Food System Transformation, 2024-2033.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Andrew Karanja said that the strategy aims to empower farmers by promoting the appreciation of traditional knowledge, enhancing biodiversity and increasing nutrient recycling and ecosystem integrations.
Dr. Karanja said that implementation of the strategy is expected to yield a range of benefits extending beyond agricultural productivity, including increased resilience to climate change, improved economic viability of agricultural value chains and enterprises, biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and enhanced social equity.
Speaking at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) headquarters on Thursday during the launch, the CS expressed confidence that the implementation of this strategy will position the country on a path toward sustainable agricultural production, the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the promotion of sustainable consumption and healthy diets.
He said that the strategy will enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation, create green jobs and secure social equity and responsibility,
“As a government, we are committed to coordinating the implementation of this strategy and fostering collaborative and partnership-driven approaches to create an enabling environment for the sustained growth and development of the sector,” he said.
The CS emphasized that they will continue to support the development, promotion, and application of agroecology principles, including the use of organic inputs such as organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides.
“The government is also exploring the inclusion of agro-fertilizer and bio-pesticides in the subsidy programs to enhance their accessibility and adoption,” said the CS.
Dr. Karanja highlighted that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and tackling the challenges posed by a growing population and the escalating impacts of climate change which continue to aggravate the country’s food and nutrition security concerns.
“Food production faces significant setbacks due to a range of factors, including declining soil health, unsustainable land use practices, loss of biodiversity critical for food and agriculture, and the degradation of vital ecosystems such as soils, water, forests, and grazing lands. Additionally, reliance on unreliable rain-fed agriculture, high input costs, low adoption of modern technologies, and significant food loss and waste further compound the problem,” said Dr. Karanja.
State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh underscored the urgent need to transform food systems toward sustainability, emphasizing the importance of a robust policy framework to accelerate and scale up efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Ronoh said that Agroecology is globally recognized as a viable approach to addressing many challenges facing our food systems.
“As envisioned in Kenya’s Vision 2030, agriculture continues to be a key focus area, now further prioritized under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which aims to maximize its potential for sustainable growth and improved livelihoods,” said the PS.
KALRO Director for Crops Systems Dr. Lusike Wasilwa said that agroecology is extremely important in conserving traditional and nutritious foods like ‘kienyeji’ vegetables.
Dr. Wasilwa emphasized on the importance of soil health saying that they are mapping all the soils in the country and developing suitability maps for crops and livestock production in the specific soil types and regions which will boost productivity.
A farmer from Kikuyu Constituency Eugene Ndwiga said that they have come together as 300 farmers and they are adopting agroecology in growing vegetables and other crops.
Ndwiga said that strategies are critical in the growth and development of a nation since they give direction as he called for the full implementation of the National Agroecology Strategy for Food System Transformation, 2024-2033 which will lead to increased incomes for farmers.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a