AGRA in partnership with FOLU hosted the 2nd Regenerative Agriculture Conference focused on offering solutions to combat land degradation, restore soil health, increase biodiversity and promote sustainable food systems.
The conference themed “Scaling Regenerative Agriculture for Food Systems Transformation” aimed to Increase awareness of the benefits of regenerative agriculture for sustainable development. It also focused on discussing the role of regenerative agriculture in combating drought and desertification in Kenya.
The conference brought together stakeholders in Kenya in the areas of food and land use systems – agriculture, SMEs, policy, water, resilience to climate change, natural resources management, sustainable consumption, healthy diets among others.
AGRA Kenya Country Director noted “AGRA has been privileged to work with committed partners like the IKEA Foundation without whose support we could have never undertaken projects such as the LISTEN and STRAK projects. Through our efforts in regenerative agriculture we have been able to reclaim abound 7700 hectares of land that was previously degraded.”
Africa still struggles with bridging the yield gap with farmers reaching only 25 to 30 per cent of their potential. Food systems are increasing pressure on local ecosystems and contributing to global climate change. Changing environmental conditions and consumption patterns are intensifying challenges, fueling poverty, widening socio-economic gaps, and eroding essential ecosystem services
Also speaking at the conference, Nico Janssen who is the Program Manager for Agricultural Livelihoods at the IKEA Foundation said “25% of Kenya is food insecure but 70& of its people are employed in agriculture. Kenya is most affected by land degradation and drought due to unsustainable land use practices. The transformation of our foods systems is not just an aspiration It is a necessity.”
While addressing the conference, Trans Nzoia Senator Alan Chesang said “2 million households cannot meet their subsistence needs. Majority of these are smallholder farmers who despite having access to farm land don’t have the resources to meet their subsistence needs. Today’s conference is timely and presents a much-needed platform for stakeholders to discuss best practices. There is an urgent need for the country to transform its food systems with Regenerative Agriculture at the center”
The conference also provided a platform to share best practices and lessons learned from successful regenerative agriculture initiatives in Kenya and other countries as well as highlight the potential of regenerative agriculture in creating youth employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in Kenya.
Governments and development partners recognize that food security, poverty, environmental damage, and climate change are interconnected. In response, they’re implementing holistic strategies that address immediate concerns and safeguard resources for generations to come.”
