Category: Newsroom

By: Tengetile Mphila

The challenges that the world has been facing over the past decades as a result of global warming and climate change have been devastating. Most economies, especially those that are fully dependent on agriculture are still trying to figure out ways to boost their economies as well as manage to be food secure. In many African countries, smallholder farmers are one of the most vulnerable groups to climate change, yet efforts to support farmer adaptation are hindered by the lack of financial support and information on how they are experiencing and responding to climate change. The introduction of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) was as a result of these challenges and also to be a solution to the weakening agriculture sector of many countries.

CSA may be defined as an approach for transforming and reorienting agricultural development under the new realities of climate change. The definition provided by FAO is that CSA
is agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience, reduces/removes greenhouse gases where possible, and enhances achievement of national food security
and development goals.

This type of agriculture puts into consideration the climatic conditions of a certain area then comes up with the best suitable agricultural practices for that area. This is the best and most efficient way to save resources at the same time achieve good results. If applied well, this could be one of the best ways to achieve the food security pillar of the Kenyan government’s Big Four Agenda. Research shows that farmers in Kenya are slowly adapting to Climate Smart Agriculture. Amongst other reasons, the slow adaptation is as a result of financial inabilities to practice CSA. Hence, there is need for not only the government of Kenya, but all governments in the continent to capitalize on this practice as a way of achieving food security.

CSA not only looks at farming but has a wide range of entry points such as information technologies, insurance schemes, value chains and the strengthening of institutional and political enabling environments. The integration of these entry points and the consideration of solutions in the form of agri-insurance, agri-technology agri-finance is vital for farmers who are working tirelessly to ensure that there is food security for all.

Agribusiness Today Magazine aims to be one of the solutions for Kenyan farmers. Through its seven pillars, the magazine seeks to bring together stakeholders with solutions for all the farmers problems. Such solutions come in the form of information about agri-finance, agri-technology, manufacturing, agri-insurance and how to access the stakeholders dealing with each pillar. Since CSA requires financial support, the agri-finance and agri-insurance pillars of the magazine aim to bring smart financial solutions to farmers which will enhance them to yield good results and also help the government of Kenya to realize its agenda of enhancing food security in the country.

By Tengetile Mphila

The agriculture sector plays a vital role in the Kenyan economy. It accounts for 65 per cent of the export earnings, and provides the livelihood (employment, income and food security needs) for more than 80 per cent of the Kenyan population and contributes to improving nutrition through production of safe, diverse and nutrient dense foods. Agriculture is therefore the solution to achieving President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda.

About the Big Four Agenda

Announced by the President on 12 December 2017, the four pillars of the big four agenda are the expansion of manufacturing industry, affordable housing, food security and affordable health care. These are meant to ensure that Kenyans secure employment and improve their livelihoods.

The expansion of the manufacturing industry is meant to increase job creation as well as the production of better goods which will in turn boost the economy. More focus is on the blue economy, agro-processing, leather and textile industries. The reduction of the cost of mortgages, raising low cost funds in both private and public for investment in large scale house construction and cutting the cost of construction by use of innovative ways and materials these are meant to help achieve affordable housing. The president through the affordable health care pillar intends to provide 100% universal health cover such that by 2022 every Kenyan will have medical cover. To achieve food security, the cost of food will be reduced, large scale commercial farming will be encouraged, small holder productivity will also be boosted, training of SMEs in food processing along the value chain and many other ways to ensure that all come to fruition.
Agriculture

Agriculture touches on three of the pillars of the Big Four Agenda. Since the agriculture sector is fully devolved in Kenya, this will help in ensuring that all the counties fully participate in realizing the President’s agenda. Hence, in order to achieve the Big Four, there should be more focus on agriculture. More investments need to be dedicated to agriculture. This can be done by supporting agribusinesses and opening avenues for youth to fully participate in agriculture for the sustainability of the sector. Supporting the sector will mean that the health pillar will benefit and food security will be attained. In order to have the manufacturing industry perform well, the workers should be in a healthy state so that they can be productive. Agriculture should therefore be at the forefront of the President’s Big Four Agenda.

Photo Credit: KARLO