On Wednesday, Kenya issued a call to foreign investors, urging them to consider investing in agriculture within the 80 per cent arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) section of the country, to enhance food security.
Paul Rono, the principal secretary of the State Department of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized that the ASAL regions possess fertile land but lack sufficient water. He highlighted the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for private sector and foreign investment in agriculture, aiming to bolster food security, generate employment, and boost income in these regions.
Rono underscored Kenya’s recognition of the agricultural potential in ASAL areas, particularly through irrigation, as part of a broader strategy to position the country for resilient agricultural enterprises. The government is committed to pursuing a bottom-up economic transformation agenda, focusing on sustainable food systems that not only cater to domestic needs but also drive exports, reduce imports, and ensure the profitability of smallholder farmers.
The principal secretary disclosed ongoing efforts to develop a national agriculture policy master plan for the years 2024-2034. This plan prioritizes enhancing farmers’ access to services, providing mechanization, improving seed systems, and facilitating the packaging of fresh produce for export.
Kenya’s strategy includes the relocation of populations from arable regions to urban centres, aiming to optimize serious farming practices to address national challenges such as a growing population, the empowerment of women and youth, a fragile food ecosystem, and poverty. In 2023, Kenya took a significant step by leasing 500,000 acres of government land to boost food production.
Additionally, Rono announced that Kenya is set to host the Financing Agriculture Sustainability Conference (FINAS 2024) in March. This conference will bring together stakeholders in the agricultural sector to devise tangible investment and funding action plans that align with the current realities in the country. The agenda will encompass designing financing solutions relevant to a diverse range of beneficiaries and exploring de-risking approaches for injecting capital, including blended financing.
