In order to revolutionise the agricultural sector, increase productivity, and increase the nation’s ability to feed its growing population, Kenya is dedicated to facilitating the adoption of new technology and ideas.
As agriculture has one of the fastest payback periods for investments, higher returns, and the ability to create jobs, President Dr. William Ruto stated that the government is eager to encourage farm productivity.
During the African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) opening session, the Head of State made a speech read on his behalf by Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi. He stated that innovative and transformative technologies were needed to fully realise the sector’s potential.
He emphasised the importance of embracing new breakthroughs and technology, which will be accomplished by removing obstacles to technology transfer and development in addition to concentrating on the technologies themselves.
By implementing new innovations and technologies, the agricultural sector in Kenya and throughout Africa can be made more productive than it already is. In order to give Africa resilience and global competitiveness, these are crucial.
President Ruto stated that the government is putting a comprehensive plan into action, known as the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019–2029), in an effort to transform agriculture.
“This blueprint represents our unwavering commitment to reforming the sector by increasing output and productivity, boosting incomes, and, most importantly, ensuring the resilience and food security of Kenyan households,” he said
He acknowledged the effective application of science, technology and innovations in agriculture as a powerful tool to achieve two goals of improving productivity across value chains while at the same time building resilience to the effects of climate change.
“There are remarkable innovations that can help farmers address the challenges of drought and pests through drought-tolerant and pest-resistant crops,” he added.
The president of Kenya has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering an atmosphere that will promote the application of science, technology, and innovation to address agricultural difficulties and guarantee the security of food and nutrition.
Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Canisius Kanangire, commended Kenya for its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for the complete eradication of hunger and poverty from the face of the earth by 2030.
Over the course of its 20 years of operation, the Kenya-based Foundation has helped 4.8 million smallholder farmers in 24 countries, including Kenya, get access to cutting-edge agricultural technologies valued at over USD 650 million.
