This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
On June 18, 2020, the Treasury Secretary, Ukur Yatani, announced an increase in the budget allocation for food security, agriculture, and related sub-sectors, offering a glimmer of hope for farmers and urban consumers.
For the first time in many years, the allocation to agriculture has been separated from 'rural and urban development', making it easier to track spending on support for agriculture and increasing accountability.
However, the ministry responsible for agriculture needs to demonstrate the effectiveness of its spending, particularly with regards to irrigation projects, which have seen billions of shillings allocated annually without significant progress.
Government agencies must recognize that food security is crucial for national life, and supporting agriculture is essential for stabilizing food prices, combating pests, and driving national construction.
As such, a multi-sectoral approach is necessary to ensure that the allocated funds are spent effectively to achieve the desired goals.
