Ministry, governors to review agriculture sector performance
Kenya is set to hold a major conference to audit the performance of the agriculture sector this week.
The meeting organised by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG) comes at a time the sector is battling slow growth owing to prolonged dry spell in the country and effects of the Covid-19
Dubbed the 4th Intergovernmental Forum for Agriculture (IGFA), the conference to be chaired by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and COG chairman Martin Wambora will be held on January 19 and 20 in Mombasa.
Common interest
It seeks to give policy direction on agriculture sector governance issues affecting the two levels of government and allows for a wider stakeholders’ participation, according to a Ministry of Agriculture official.
Thule Lenneiye of the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO) and Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture said the forum will also discuss issues touching on performance to provide direction for overall sector development.
“It will also provide for consultation and co-operation among stakeholders in the agriculture sector on matters of common interest among other issues, Lenneiye who is managing the preparations added.
The forum will bring together Governors, CECs in charge of agriculture matters from the County governments, top leadership in the Ministry of Agriculture, representatives of sectoral ministries, other government agencies, key private sector players and development partners.
“The Cabinet Secretary shall co-chair the 2-day Forum which is coming at the beginning of the Kenyan election year and at a time when Kenya, like many other countries in the region, is facing unprecedented times as we are dealing with the widespread effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Lenneiye said.
She noted that the pandemic had disrupted agri-food systems resulting in loss of livelihoods and incomes and increased food insecurity.
