Kenya Government Advocates for Technological Advancements to Revamp Agricultural Sector

NAIROBI: Kenya is pushing for the incorporation of new technologies to rejuvenate its agricultural sector, aiming for increased productivity and the capacity to feed its growing population.

According to Kenya News Agency, read on his behalf by Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi at the opening of the African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT), the government is emphasizing agricultural productivity for its rapid investment payback and potential to create jobs.

President Ruto highlighted the necessity to not only focus on technology but also to strategize to remove barriers hindering technology development and transfer. He pointed out that low productivity in Kenya’s agriculture, similar to that of Africa, can be revamped through technology and innovation. The government is implementing a ten-year blueprint, the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019-2029), to enhance output, incomes, and food security in Kenyan households.

In addition, President Ruto emphasized the role of science, technology, and innovation in improving productivity and building resilience against climate change effects. He spoke of innovations that could help farmers tackle challenges like drought and pests through drought-tolerant and pest-resistant crops.

The event was also attended by Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who asserted that innovation is crucial for resilience in African agriculture. Dr. Jonathan stressed that climate change threatens traditional agricultural practices and necessitates innovations for efficient, sustainable, and climate-smart systems. He insisted that technologies could bridge the current production gap and speed up self-sufficiency in food production on the continent.

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Executive Director Canisius Kanangire acknowledged Kenya’s ambition to eradicate poverty and hunger by 2030, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Kanangire pointed out that his foundation, headquartered in Kenya, has facilitated access to innovative agricultural technologies worth over USD 650 million in its 20 years of operation, benefiting 4.8 million smallholder farmers in 24 countries, including Kenya.

The ACAT conference, themed “Agricultural Resilience through Innovation,” occurs as Africa struggles with the challenge of feeding a population expected to exceed 1.4 billion by 2030.