The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr. Andrew Karanja, PhD (3rd left) today officially launched Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has officially launched its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, a move poised to revolutionize Kenya’s agricultural sector. Unveiled during a high-profile event on Wednesday, the plan is being hailed as a significant step towards addressing the sector’s persistent challenges and fostering sustainable growth.
The launch event attracted an array of senior government officials, stakeholders, and industry leaders, all of whom underscored the strategic plan’s importance in guiding the sector towards a more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive future. Among the key figures in attendance were the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, and the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Andrew Karanja.
In his keynote address, CS Dr. Karanja emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Kenya’s economy, highlighting that the sector contributes approximately 33% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment for over 40% of the population. He stressed that the new strategic plan is essential for achieving food security and catalyzing economic growth. “This plan is not just a roadmap; it is a blueprint for transforming our agricultural landscape. It prioritizes climate-smart agriculture, increased market access, and technological innovations to enhance productivity and reduce post-harvest losses,” Dr. Karanja stated.
The 2023-2027 Strategic Plan arrives at a crucial time when Kenya’s agricultural sector is grappling with significant challenges, including the impacts of climate change, declining productivity, and limited access to finance and markets. The new strategy outlines a comprehensive approach to address these issues, with a particular focus on empowering smallholder farmers and promoting value addition to agricultural products.
PS Dr. Ronoh echoed the government’s commitment to the plan, aligning it with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda. He emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including the private sector and development partners, to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy. “The government is dedicated to mobilizing the necessary resources and working closely with all stakeholders to achieve the objectives set out in this plan,” Dr. Ronoh remarked.
The launch event also saw participation from representatives of various agricultural organizations, financial institutions, and development partners, who expressed optimism about the plan’s potential to drive growth in the sector. The emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, value addition, and market access was widely praised as timely and necessary given the evolving global agricultural landscape.
The AFA’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan sets a clear path forward for the future of agriculture in Kenya, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. While the plan holds significant promise, its success will depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders to translate these ambitious goals into tangible benefits for the nation’s farmers and the broader economy.
As Kenya embarks on this transformative journey, the agricultural sector stands on the brink of a potential turnaround that could secure the country’s food security and improve the livelihoods of millions. The coming years will reveal how effectively these strategies are implemented and whether they can indeed bring about the desired transformation in Kenya’s agricultural sector.
