The government of Kenya is set to review the impact of the agriculture reforms and Covid-19 on the sector.
Agriculture CS CS Peter Munya announced that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Council of Governors will meet at the 4th Intergovernmental Forum for Agriculture in Mombasa for the discussions.
The CS said the forum brings together governors, CECs in charge of agriculture in counties, top leadership in the Agriculture ministry, representatives of sectorial ministries, other government agencies, key private sector players and development partners.
“The aim is to give policy direction on agriculture sector governance issues affecting the two levels of government. It also allows for a wider stakeholders’ participation. The platform provides for consultation and cooperation among stakeholders in the agriculture sector on matters of common interest, deliberate on policy matters and appraise sector performance to provide direction for overall sector development,” he said.
New innovations
Agriculture PS Hamadi Boga said the forum, which is held every two years, seeks to look at the performance of the agriculture sector.
“This is specific to the agriculture sector. We will be addressing issues such as the impacts of the agriculture reforms, how Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the sector and the desert locusts, fall armyworm and biotechnology issues,” he said.
Boga added this will also provide an opportunity for counties and the private sector to showcase best practices and new innovations. Thule Lenneiye, the Agriculture Transformation Office coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the forum is coming at a time when Kenya, like many other countries in the region, is facing unprecedented times due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has disrupted agri-food systems resulting in loss of livelihoods and income and increased food insecurity. The country has also been grappling with the desert locust invasion and drought,” Lenneiye said.
