The government of Kenya and the European Union (EU) have agreed to strengthen local food production in the country.
The agreement was reached following talks between the EU envoy to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, and Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mithika Linturi.
Geiger expressed the commitment of the EU to supporting the Kenyan government’s food security initiatives following a prolonged drought that reduced crop harvest and caused loss of livestock.
The partnership will also include training more youths in agriculture, mechanisation of farming practices and land digitisation programme.
According to a report by IPC, between July and September 2022 (lean season), about 3.5 million people in Kenya faced high levels of acute food insecurity, with about 2.7 million people in crisis and 785,000 people in an emergency.
‘The EU is keen to partner with the Kenyan government to enhance food security and increase incomes through improving the competitiveness and diversity of agricultural market systems and livelihoods’, she said.
Cabinet Secretary Linturi said the partnership is timely as it comes at a time when the government is implementing strategies to support food production including issuing subsidised fertilisers, so as to put an end to food insecurity.
Linturi also noted that the partnership will be key in impacting Kenyan farmers with new technological advancements, capacity building, market linkages and increasing youth participation in agriculture.
Source: Capital FM
Photo source: USAID
