State should put food security first
Food insecurity remains a serious challenge and the new government has started sending the right signals by prioritising measures aimed at addressing the challenge, including by lifting the ban on the importation and cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops after a decade in limbo.
The move comes in the wake of a biting drought that has led to food shortage in 23 counties, many of which are in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
It has not helped matters that counties are yet to receive funding for the last quarter of the last financial year, which has left many of them with limited resources to intervene.
As a first step in mitigating the longstanding drought issue and realise food security, the State should put in place other complementary and sustainable mechanisms that will save Kenyans from starvation. This includes, but is not limited to digging of water pans and encouraging families and individuals to harvest rainwater for farming. In ASALs, other small scale undertakings, such as tapping of gum Arabic and other natural resources to make beauty products should be scaled up, as should leather related investments.
In lifting the ban on GM crops, the government hopes that food supply will improve in coming months and the donor community will chip in to stabilise the situation and protect the most vulnerable. However, as the government implements this, it must also not lose sight of the bigger, long-term picture. Even after lifting the ban, it ought to ensure that safety standards are strictly adhered to to address the fears raised by various institutions.
Policy makers and planners should also be tasked to come up with mechanisms through which the country can become food secure over the long term, including finding ways of preserving harvests and adding value to them.
The government must also follow through and see to it that the cost of farm inputs is lowered. From fertilisers to seeds, the cost of production has been high in past years, contributing to the current problem. Steps already taken in this direction should be scaled up ahead of the planting season.
Lastly, climate change has played a huge part in exacerbating the food crisis. As such, both national and county governments should pass laws aimed at safeguarding and replenishing the environment to fight climate change. The first approach is increasing our forest cover and protecting water catchment areas. What is needed is goodwill to make this work.
