Kenya Advances Sustainable Food Systems Ahead of National Summit

Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, has intensified its efforts to transform the country’s food systems by implementing inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven policies aimed at securing long-term food security.

In a media briefing held on Monday ahead of the Kenya National Food Systems Summit, scheduled for April 15–16, 2025, the Ministry outlined key strides made in enhancing agricultural sustainability and resilience. This year’s summit will be held under the theme: “Fostering Collaboration, Innovation, and Inclusion for Resilient Food Systems.”

Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Ronoh highlighted the significant role agriculture plays in both national economic development and public health.

“If we do not fix matters to do with food and nutrition security, we lose a lot of money for the treatment of diseases that are caused by food-related substances. Food is a security item,” Ronoh said.

The ministry’s approach has focused on empowering youth and women in agribusiness, digitizing agricultural processes, enhancing dietary diversity, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and ensuring inclusive access to agricultural financing.

These measures, PS Ronoh emphasized, are geared toward creating a future-ready agricultural sector that prioritizes innovation, resilience, and inclusivity. The ministry is also leveraging technology and engaging with key stakeholders—including the private sector and county governments—to scale up efforts such as farmer registration and nationwide soil testing.

“We feel that we have not done much and achieved the registration of farmers and soil testing. The private sector, together with the county government, will team up with us to strategise on this,” Ronoh added.

The PS also noted a general decline in the cost of living, citing reduced prices for key commodities such as sugar, flour, and fertilizer, attributing this progress to ongoing reforms in the agriculture sector.

The upcoming summit is expected to provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and alignment among stakeholders, enabling the Ministry to refine its priorities and scale up successful interventions. With its inclusive strategy and forward-looking agenda, Kenya is positioning itself as a model for food systems transformation on the African continent.