This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Kenya's agriculture sector is poised for transformation, with the government's Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019-2029) outlining a comprehensive plan to modernize and grow the sector.
The strategy emphasizes the importance of empowering small-scale agricultural producers to generate sustainable income and livelihoods from crops, livestock, and fisheries.
According to the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP), the implementation of ASTGS will cost between Ksh 400-440 billion in the five years to 2024, with the government planning to finance only 20% of the estimated cost.
Private sector partnerships will be critical in delivering successful outcomes, with opportunities for value addition and processing creating a strong potential for creating sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers.
Flagship 1 of the transformation strategy aims to boost the incomes of 1 million small-scale producers of crops, livestock, and fisheries, with a focus on strengthening the agro-processing and value addition capacity of over 1,000 farmer-facing SMEs.
Private sector players can benefit from reliable supply of produce, efficient support infrastructure, and opportunities for data-driven agricultural environments.
However, the government must also explore tax incentives for farmers, processors, and input suppliers to make agriculture more attractive, and tackle unfavorable trade terms that fuel the influx of cheap food imports into the domestic market.
Comprehensive stakeholder involvement and extensive public sensitization are required to ensure the success of the transformation strategy, with the small-scale farmer at the center of the process.
