Farm policy forum kicks off amid woes

By GERALD ANDAE
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Summary

• The Ministry of Agriculture will today host the fourth Intergovernmental Forum on Agriculture (IGFA) which deliberates on policy issues and assesses the performance of the sector at a time when the industry is grappling with unprecedented challenges.
• The IGFA, which Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya convened, is co-chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

The Ministry of Agriculture will today host the fourth Intergovernmental Forum on Agriculture (IGFA) which deliberates on policy issues and assesses the performance of the sector at a time when the industry is grappling with unprecedented challenges.

The IGFA, which Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya convened, is co-chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

The forum brings together county bosses, CECs in charge of agriculture, senior ministerial officials, representatives of sector ministries, other state agencies, key players from the private sector and development partners.

The forum’s mandate is to provide policy guidance on agricultural sector governance issues affecting both levels of government and to enable broader stakeholder participation.

“The Cabinet Secretary will co-chair the two-day forum, which comes at the start of Kenya’s election year and at a time when Kenya, like many other countries in the region, is going through unprecedented times as we deal with the widespread effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which has disrupted agri-food systems, leading to loss of livelihoods and incomes and increased food insecurity,” said Thule Lenneiye, Coordinator of the Office of Food Transformation. agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The country is also grappling with the locust invasion and drought.”

The Agriculture Sector Joint Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism was established at the second forum in Mombasa six years ago.

The forum constitutes the highest level of consultation and cooperation between the national government and the counties as well as other stakeholders.

Under the theme “Strengthening intergovernmental relations and partnerships for sustainable food systems towards 100% food and nutrition security in Kenya”, “the forum will review the resolutions of the third IGFA and also review progress in the implementation of agriculture sector growth and transformation strategy,” Ms. Lenneiye said.