Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa |
AGRA is committed to continuing its
support for Kenya's Agricultural Transformation Agenda. This is the message
that AGRA President, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, delivered to Kenya's Deputy President
William Ruto in a meeting last week at his Karen Office.
As a core partner to the government
of Kenya for many years, the Deputy President welcomed Dr. Kalibata and a
delegation from AGRA to discuss how AGRA can serve as a core strategic partner
in delivering on the country's priorities to advance and sustain its
agricultural transformation.
Kenya has been and remains a focus
country for AGRA. Since its inception, AGRA has made investments in Kenya and
Kenyan organizations totaling more than USD 40 million. AGRA has invested in
setting up seed systems and seed companies, fertilizer systems, markets, and
improving agricultural finance. In particular, AGRA has helped train 24 PhD
experts in plant breeding and agronomy, as well 8 Masters students in crop and
soil science, and it has supported the KARLO breeding program to develop new,
locally adapted seed varieties.
It has supported the establishment and
strengthening of seed companies and the development and training of more than
1,500 agro-dealers to support farmers' access to inputs, so that nearly one
million farmers are now using improved seed varieties and seeing increased
yields. Among other things, AGRA has also made investments in Kenya to help
enhance the fertilizer quality control system, improve markets for smallholder
farmers, and enhance farmer-specific finance products, through partnerships
like KilimoBiashara with Equity Bank.
Going forward, President Kalibata
offered to continue to use AGRA's technical expertise, understanding of lessons
of what works from other countries, and targeted grant funds to help build on
and sustain the gains Kenya has made in recent years. AGRA will continue
supporting seed companies and seed systems with research, training, and
capacity, particularly to help increase the country's supply of seed nationally
and in the region. AGRA will also work with actors like the Agricultural
Finance Corporation to increase access to financing for farmers and
agribusinesses in Kenya. It will also explore all other areas key to supporting
Kenya's agricultural transformation, including markets, value addition, ICT,
and beyond.
The meeting ultimately marked the
continuation of a strategic partnership between AGRA and the Kenyan government,
and the AGRA President agreed that it will be following up with Deputy
President Ruto very soon on support it can provide to Kenya's agricultural
development and potential agricultural leadership in the region and across the
continent.
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