The 4th edition of the National Agriculture Summit kicked off today at the KICC, Nairobi. Organised by the Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET) – the agriculture sector board for KEPSA, the two-day summit aims to bring together key players in the agricultural industry to foster engagement in promoting innovation, research and a business-friendly environment within the agriculture sector.
Themed Embracing Sustainability: Innovations, Research, and Competitiveness in Agriculture, the event provides a platform for stakeholders to dialogue on creating a business-friendly landscape in agriculture, addressing issues such as funding opportunities, market access and industry collaboration. The summit also provides a networking and knowledge-sharing platform among key agricultural sector stakeholders, to drive forward progress in the industry towards a more sustainable and innovative future.
In his keynote address, Hon. Dr Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, noted the importance of research in informed decision-making and progress in agriculture, highlighting the role of evidence-based approaches in addressing critical challenges and unlocking new opportunities. “We as a country must focus on transforming and growing our agri-food systems, promoting healthy diets and ensuring the free movement of food and inputs, developing shorter supply chains and addressing the food volatility,” he said.
“Today’s discussion is all about how to bring academia, research and innovation closer to the private sector. We thought this is an important section of our community which has been distanced from the private sector. We have probably the best minds in Africa here in Kenya. Our universities, colleges and agricultural institutions have some of the smartest individuals in agriculture but are not well connected with the private sector. Our goal is to have a proper plan to create the linkage where the private sector can benefit from these brilliant ideas to jointly make money and create jobs,” said Dr Bimal Kantaria, Chairperson of ASNET and KEPSA Director in charge of Food Security & Climate Change during the opening session.
By Fred Odanga.