By Cynthia Masibo
Worth Noting:
- The Strategic Plan comes at a crucial time when Kenya’s agricultural sector is facing significant challenges, including climate change, dwindling productivity, and limited access to markets and finance.
- The new plan outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing these issues, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.
- In his address, the CS highlighted the key objectives of the strategy, which include enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting value addition, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
In a move that is set to reshape Kenya’s agricultural landscape, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has officially launched its five-year Strategic Plan.
The launching of the 2023-2027 stratrgic plan was graced by senior government officials, stakeholders, and industry experts, who hailed the new plan as a transformative step for the sector.
The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh was in attendance, lending his support to the initiative.
The keynote address was delivered by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Andrew Karanja, who emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Kenya’s economy and the importance of the new strategy in achieving food security and economic growth.
The Strategic Plan comes at a crucial time when Kenya’s agricultural sector is facing significant challenges, including climate change, dwindling productivity, and limited access to markets and finance.
The new plan outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing these issues, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.
In his address, the CS highlighted the key objectives of the strategy, which include enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting value addition, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
“This strategic plan will serve as a blueprint for transforming agriculture in Kenya. It emphasizes the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, greater access to markets, and the use of technology to boost productivity and reduce post-harvest losses,” said Dr. Karanja.
The CS further noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing about 33 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing over 40 per cent 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.
The PS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the strategic plan, noting that it aligns with Kenya’s broader national development goals as outlined in Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda. He emphasized that the successful implementation of the plan would require collaboration among various stakeholders, including the private sector, development partners, and farmers themselves.
“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.
The AFA 2023-2027 Strategic Plan sets a clear roadmap for the future of agriculture in Kenya. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, the strategy promises to unlock new opportunities for farmers and contribute to the country’s overall economic growth.
However, the successful implementation of the plan will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to work together towards a common goal: transforming Kenya’s agricultural sector for the betterment of all.
As the government and AFA move forward with the implementation of the plan, all eyes will be on how these ambitious goals translate into tangible benefits for Kenya’s farmers and the broader economy.
John Kamau 
Mt Kenya Times