On Thursday, President William Ruto participated in the Agriculture and Food Security Presidential Town Hall at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi. The event brought together farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and members of the public to discuss food production, farmer incomes, access to inputs, value addition, and sector transformation. The President fielded questions and outlined his administration's priorities for the sector. This engagement is part of the government's efforts to strengthen food security and increase agricultural productivity.
President Ruto emphasized his passion for farming, stating that he was speaking not only as the President but also as a farmer. He highlighted the expansion of the digital farmer registration platform, which has seen the number of registered farmers grow from 400,000 to 8.9 million. This platform enables the government to better target agricultural interventions and curb fertilizer cartels through ministry-issued vouchers.
The President defended the government's decision to shift from subsidizing food at the point of consumption to supporting production at the farm level. He cited the reduction of fertilizer prices to Sh2,000 as part of efforts to lower production costs and improve farmers' returns. This move aims to increase agricultural productivity and ensure farmers derive greater value from their produce.
President Ruto also emphasized the importance of value addition in the agricultural sector. He encouraged Kenya to process its agricultural and raw materials locally rather than exporting them in raw form. The government is working to expand local leather manufacturing, with a target of ending shoe imports within the next two to three years. Additionally, the President suggested that boots used by uniformed officers, currently imported, should be manufactured locally.
The Agriculture and Food Security Summit is part of the government's broader push to strengthen food security, increase agricultural productivity, and ensure farmers derive greater value from their produce. The event provided a platform for farmers and stakeholders to engage with the President and discuss key issues affecting the sector.
During the town hall, President Ruto engaged with farmers and stakeholders, addressing their concerns and outlining his administration's plans for the agricultural sector. The President's engagement with the public and stakeholders demonstrates his commitment to transforming the sector and improving the lives of farmers and communities.
The government's efforts to transform the agricultural sector are crucial to Kenya's economic growth and food security. The President's initiative to expand local leather manufacturing and reduce shoe imports is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. The government's focus on supporting production at the farm level and promoting value addition is expected to have a positive impact on farmers' incomes and the overall economy.
Key points
- President Ruto's administration aims to strengthen food security and increase agricultural productivity.
- The digital farmer registration platform has seen significant growth, with 8.9 million registered farmers.
- The government is working to expand local leather manufacturing and reduce shoe imports.
