Agriculture private sector players will hold a summit in the Western region next week.
The summit seeks to deliberate on how to create enabling business environment for Western Kenya.
The Western Agriculture Summit will seek to identify innovative strategies and solutions for agriculture competitiveness.
The county governments in the region will be making a commitment to create an enabling business environment.
The summit will be held under the theme, 'Leaving No One Behind For Agriculture Competitiveness.'
Agatha Thuo, Agriculture Sector Network General Manger said the agriculture sector continues to play a critical role in Kenya’s economy, accounting for 22.4 per cent of the GDP (2022).
ASNET is an umbrella body representing the collective voice of the agriculture sector in Kenya.
It was established in 2020 through a partnership of Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kenya Association of Manufacturers and the SDG Partnership Platform at the United Nations and other like-minded business associations, private sectors, development partners and other stakeholders.
Thuo said the sector supports over 40 per cent of the total population and more than 70 per cent of the rural populace. It contributes to ensuring food security, reducing poverty, as well as promoting economic growth.
“However, various challenges hinder the achievement of these goals, including limited access to resources, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, market inefficiencies and competitiveness,” she said.
According to the Economic Survey 2023 report, the growth of the agriculture sector decelerated from 4.6 per cent in 2020 to a contraction of 0.4 per cent in 2021 and a further contraction of 1.6 per cent in 2022.
This is partly due to unfavourable weather conditions that led to a reduction in both crop and livestock performance.
To address these challenges and propel the agriculture sector forward, ASNET, in collaboration with Youth Employment in Agriculture (YEA) implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), is organizing an Agriculture Summit for the Western Kenya region.
Thuo said the summit covers the counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega and Bungoma.
“The Western Region Agriculture Summit is aligned with the ASNET’s strategic objectives, particularly underscoring private sector consolidation, agriculture value chain development, regulation, policy and advocacy for an enabling business environment for the western Kenya region,” she said.
The summit is expected to bring 200 participants drawn from the private sector, public sector, and other non-state actors from the five counties. About 15 exhibitors are also expected to showcase agriculture innovation and technology.
The Western Region Agriculture Summit seeks to create a platform that brings together the private sector, policymakers, farmer representatives, TVETs, entrepreneurs, researchers, and development partners to deliberate on key issues related to agriculture value chain development and the competitiveness of the supply chains.
“It will also aim to enhance awareness and understanding of the importance of agriculture in achieving poverty reduction, employment and sustainability," said Thuo.
"It will also seek to facilitate business relationships and connect food processors to various sources of safe, quality, adequate and consistent supply, as well as promote Agriculture for Industry (A4I),” she said.
The Western Region Agriculture Summit represents a unique opportunity to bring together key stakeholders to address the challenges facing our agriculture sector.
Thuo noted that through robust discussions and collaboration, they can chart a path towards inclusive, sustainable, and competitive agriculture that leaves no one behind.
"We invite all interested parties to join us in this important endeavor and contribute to the resource mobilisation efforts,” she added.