How Kenya is advancing food systems for sustainability

State Department for Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh speaking during a media engagement session on April 14, 2025/ MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, has implemented measures to advance food systems for sustainability.

The ministry has achieved this through nurturing the youth and women within agribusiness enterprises.

They have also promulgated the digitalisation of agricultural processes, augmented dietary heterogeneity, championed climate-resilient agronomic methodologies, and instituted equitable financial accessibility for cultivators.

Through these imperatives, the nation is cultivating a progressive agricultural paradigm predicated upon innovation and inclusivity.

By investing in youth engagement, leveraging technological platforms, proliferating nutrient-rich diets, mitigating climate-induced adversities, and broadening financial conduits, Kenya exemplifies how to fortify food security.

The ministry on Monday held a media engagement ahead of the Kenya National Food Systems Summit from April 15–16, 2025.

The theme of the summit will be "Fostering Collaboration, Innovation, and Inclusion for Resilient Food Systems."

State Department for Agriculture PS Paul Ronoh said that agriculture plays a huge role in the economy of the country.

He said that better health boils down to agriculture by measuring how and what people eat.

“If we do not fix matters to do with food and nutrition security, we lose a lot of money for the treatment of diseases that are caused by food-related substances. If we go to the root cause, it is food. Food is a security item,” he said.

According to the PS, sometimes Kenyans casually take the issue of food for granted.

The PS said that the cost of living has generally lowered, citing the cost of sugar, flour and fertilizer.

PS Rono said the upcoming summit will help identify key agendas the ministry has put in place.

He said the summit will provide an opportunity for the ministry to engage farmers and push the benefit of registration.

“We feel that we have not done much and achieved the registration of farmers and soil testing. The private sectors in agriculture have done a lot; the private sector, together with the county government, will team up with us to strategise on this,” he added.