Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja and the Council of Governors, (COG) have resolved to enhance collaboration between the two levels of government to advance the transformation of the agricultural sector.
Addressing the media during the closing ceremony of a two-day, high level consultative meeting between the Ministry and COG, CS Karanja said that the meeting underscored the need for the two levels of government to strengthen mechanisms aimed at transforming the agricultural sector in the country to grow the economy and improve famers’ livelihoods.
The key agenda items discussed at the forum included: the implementation of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) on Agriculture, implementation of the subsidized fertilizer program, revitalization of extension services-emphasizing the agripreneurs model, strengthening intergovernmental relations-enhancing collaboration between the Ministry and counties; implementation of projects under the Ministry of Agriculture, among other issues.
He noted that following extensive deliberations, they unanimously resolved that the duo will have to hold regular intergovernmental engagements to foster a comprehensive and coordinated approach to transforming the agricultural sector.
The CS added that the Intergovernmental Forum for Agriculture (IGF-A) bringing together the larger stakeholders in the agricultural sector, shall be held in February 2025. “The Ministry and the county governments will actualize the Joint Agricultural Sector Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism (JASCCOM) including institutionalization and operationalization of JASCCOM, the joint steering committee for all projects,” he said.
He added that they will support the implementation of the feed lot, milk coolers and other feeds programs in the counties to transform the leather, dairy and red meat industries. “Additionally, a joint intergovernmental framework is to be developed for the implementation of feedlot program,” added Karanja.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who is also the COG chairman, said that county governments with the collaboration of the Ministry of agriculture shall ensure the review and integration of the national government’s BETA plan interventions and targets into the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) with clear county specific goals and action steps outlined for each county.
Governor Abdullahi said a joint task team will be formed to spearhead the integration of BETA into the CIDP. He noted that there is need to prioritize the creation of national policy on agricultural land subdivision, aimed at curbing excessive subdivision of agricultural land and preserving it for agricultural production and food security.
He added that they have collaboratively agreed on reforming the agriculture and livestock inputs subsidy programs to clearly define the respective roles and responsibilities of the national and county governments, enhance efficiency and effective service delivery.
“We shall also undertake a comprehensive review of agricultural projects and programs to ensure equitable distribution across all the 47 counties,” he said. The State Department for Livestock Development is set to collaborate with the respective county governments in the implementation of the milk cooler program.
“Each county government will continuously identify strategic sites within its jurisdiction for the installation of milk coolers, prioritizing areas with high dairy production and significant farmer presence to maximize accessibility and utilization of the milk coolers,” said CS Karanja. He said that the Ministry with the governors will identify and highlight the issues raised during the meeting particularly the transfer of resources for implementing all devolved functions within the agriculture sector.