Embrace modern farming to boost food security - Linturi to youths

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has encouraged the youths to practice modern farming to boost food security.

He spoke about this during the official launch of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations five-year Country Programming Framework.

Linturi on Wednesday said he was impressed by the youths who are already embracing modern agriculture.

"I was impressed by the narrative of two youthful female farmers from Kisumu and Kiambu counties who are earning a living from an agriculture value chain," Linturi tweeted.

"I’m encouraging the youth to practice modern agriculture and boost our efforts of being a food secure nation."

He adds that the programming framework aligns with Kenya Kwanza’s administration plan of agricultural transformation and inclusive growth through Climate Change Mitigation and the creation of jobs.

The CS says that this is through strengthening the various agricultural value chains.

Linturi said that the ministry recognizes the role of FAO in Kenya’s agri-sector since it has made significant contributions in areas such as policy formulation, crop production and  irrigation livestock development

Others are aquaculture, agricultural statistics, investment planning and reforms in lands.

In March, Linturi promised that the ambitious Agriculture Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS), 2019-29 which is a key policy towards making Kenya food secure will be fully implemented.

The strategy emphasizes the use of data and digital innovations as the main enablers for the envisaged transformation of Kenya’s agricultural sector.