Agricultural Policy 2021

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK,

FISHERIES AND COOPERATIVES
AGRICULTURAL POLICY - 2021
“FOOD: OUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND SECURITY”
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,
LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES AND
COOPERATIVES
2021
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK,
FISHERIES AND COOPERATIVES
“FOOD: OUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND SECURITY”
AGRICULTURAL POLICY - 2021

Ministry of Agriculture,

Livestock , Fisheries
and Cooperatives
FOREWORD In addressing the challenges, the Policy recognizes

institutional and capacity limitations in the Agricultural
Sector and provides for functional linkages between
The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya
the Sector and respective institutions whose domains
provides for the Agricultural Policy as a function of
have potential impacts on agricultural value chains. It
the National Government. It transfers key components
takes cognizance of cross-cutting issues, particularly
of agriculture including crop and animal husbandry,
agriculture in a changing climate, youth and gender,
fisheries development and control of plant and animal
which have significant effects on agricultural
diseases amongst others to the County governments.
development.
The Constitution also affirms the right of every person
to be free from hunger and to have food of acceptable
The Policy affirms the interrelationship between food
quality and quantity.
and health together with insecurity levels that have a
definite bearing on personal and national security. In
Agriculture forms the basis of food production in the
this regard, it emphasizes the need for National and
country and significantly contributes to growth of the
County Governments to commit adequate resources to
national economy. National and County Governments
enable sustainable production of sufficient and diverse
need to develop appropriate strategies that will
nutrient dense foods. Consequently, the highest
lead to food and nutrition security and safety at
leadership at both levels of government is expected
their respective levels. The Ministry of Agriculture,
to take responsibility for the development of annual
Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, in collaboration
implementation plans for this Policy.
with County governments and relevant stakeholders,
has taken the initiative to formulate the Agricultural
Policy which will be the basis of legislation, strategies,
plans, projects and programmes for the country’s
agricultural development. Respective agriculture
Hon. Peter G. Munya, E.G.H.,
commodity based and county agricultural policies and
Cabinet Secretary,
legislations are expected to conform to the Agricultural
Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Fisheries and
Policy.
Cooperatives.
The Policy has been formulated in line with relevant

provisions of the Constitution and provides a clear
road map to the realization of Vision 2030 agricultural
goals and targets. It identifies current challenges in
the Agricultural Sector and outlines suitable guidelines
to address them. It provides measures towards sustain-
able use of natural resources, particularly land and
water, which are expected to boost agricultural
production and productivity.
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PREFACE
The Agricultural Sector continues to be a key economic
and social driver of development in Kenya’s Vision
2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The
Constitution of Kenya under the Bill of Rights provides
for the “right to food of adequate quality and quantity
at all times for all”. This right is a clear mandate and
requirement which must be given priority to ensure
food safety, food security and nutrition even as we
pursue other equally important objectives of reducing
poverty and generating employment. This Policy high-
lights the challenges, opportunities and proposes
interventions for sustainable development of crops,
livestock and fisheries and sub-sectors.
With the current impacts of climate change and

emerging pests and diseases posing a great challenge
to agriculture production, the policy recognizes the
need for crop diversification and irrigation to enhance
food production, household income, National wealth
and food & nutrition security.
Crops contribute greatly to the economy where the

industrial crops contribute upto 70% of agricultural
exports and these include tea, coffee, sugarcane,
cotton, sunflower, pyrethrum, barley, tobacco, sisal,
coconut and bixa. Tea is a leading foreign exchange
earner and its export value was KES 104.1 billion in
2019, KES 134.8 billion in 2018 and KES 134.8 billion
in 2017. In 2017 fresh horticultural crops contributed
export earning of KES 115.3 billion growing to KES 144.6
billion in 2019, (KNBS, 2020). Food crops contribute
about 32% of the AgGDP and 0.5% of exports earning.
Livestock plays an important economic and socio-

cultural role among many Kenyan communities. The
sub-sector employs 50% of the agricultural labor force
and over 10 million Kenyans living in the Arid and
Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) derive their livelihood largely
from livestock. The value of livestock and livestock
products increased from KES 146.8 billion in 2018 to
KES 147.9 billion in 2019 (KNBS, 2020). About 60% of
Kenya’s livestock herd is found in the ASALs, which
constitute over 80% of the country.
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The major livestock resources include cattle, camel, poultry, sheep, goats, bees, emerging livestock and their
products. These support livelihoods through provision of food and wealth for Kenyans and significantly contribute
to the National economy. The livestock sub-sector has the potential to provide adequate supply of all animal
products to meet domestic needs and surplus for export. For growth in the livestock sub-sector, the policy recognizes
the need to improve animal genetics, control of trade sensitive diseases, value addition of livestock produce and
increased access to markets that greatly increase the industry’s performance.
Fisheries are a major source of income, food, employment and foreign exchange earnings in Kenya. We have both
natural fisheries resources in the fresh inland water bodies and the Indian Ocean as well as farmed fish from our
growing aquaculture systems. Kenya’s annual fish production is valued at approximately KES. 22 billion at ex-vessel
price. Inland capture fisheries (fresh water) contributed 111,814 tonnes (83%) of fish valued at KES. 18.58 billion
while marine capture fisheries contributed 23,286 tonnes (17%) valued at KES. 4.38 billion (KNBS, 2018). There is
need to sustainably manage the fisheries of Lake Victoria and Lake Naivasha and, invest in the development of
unexploited fisheries of Lake Turkana, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Indian ocean and aquaculture. The
aquaculture potential in the country is estimated at 1.4 million ha of which only 2% is exploited.Kenya’s aquatic
ecosystem and species are prone to diverse anthropogenic threats such as pollution, uncontrolled water abstraction,
deforestation, siltation and unregulated physical developments. These have serious and significant impacts on the
breeding areas of coastal and inland waters. The proliferation of alien invasive species threatens sustainability of
indigenous species. Other factors affecting fishery stocks include global warming and drying up of water bodies as
a result of climate change.
Prof. Hamadi Iddi Boga, PhD, C.B.S., Prof. Micheni Japheth Ntiba, PhD, D.B.A., C.B.S.,
Principal Secretary for Crops Development and Principal Secretary for Fisheries Aquaculture and
Agricultural Research. the Blue Economy.
Mr. Harry K. Kimtai, C.B.S., Mr. Ali Noor Ismail, C.B.S.,

Principal Secretary for Livestock. Principal Secretary State Department for
Cooperatives.

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We recognize all the government ministries for clearly

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT identifying their stake in this Policy and giving valuable
We wish to express our immense gratitude to His inputs that enriched the Policy. We appreciate the
Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., the President of universities, private sector, farmer organizations,
the Republic of Kenya and Commander of the Defense non-state actors, institutions and individuals for their
Forces, for leading the Executive in implementing valuable feedback through memoranda submission,
the Constitution in which Agriculture Sector is an participation during the regional consultative forums
integral part where this Policy is expected to guide and the National validation workshop.
all interventions. We recognize the Ministry of
Finally, we acknowledge and appreciate the tireless
Agriculture Livestock Fisheries and Cooperatives
efforts and commitments demonstrated by the
under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary Hon. Peter
Ministerial Technical Taskforce under the leadership of
G. Munya, E.G.H., and the Principal Secretaries Prof.
Beatrice Kingori. The chair was supported by an able
Hamadi Mboga, C.B.S., Mr. Harry Kimutai, C.B.S., Prof.
team comprising of Dr. Christopher Wanga, E.B.S.,
Micheni Japheth Ntiba, PhD, D.B.A., C.B.S., and Ali
Patrick Ombaye, Susan Imende, Julius Muracia, Dr.
Noor Ismail for their leadership, support and guidance
Charles Ochodo, , Joseph Katumo, Beatrice Nyadat,
in the development of this Policy. We appreciate the
Kithinji Mutunga, Nehemiah Chepkwony, Lucy Njenga,
support and contribution of the Chairman Council of
Phinius Nyaga, John Njoroge, Arphaxad Kimani, Samuel
Governors Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, E.G.H., and the
Muhiu, Michael Gachukia, Vincent Ogwang’ and Paul
Chairman of the Council of Governors’ Committee on
Mwangi. The KIPPRA team led by Dr. J. Omiti and Ms.
Agriculture and Lands Hon. Onesmus Muthomi Njuki.
Nancy Laibuni are also appreciated for their final
We recognize the support and invaluable contribution
editing and cleaning of this Policy.
of the County Governments through the County
Executive Committee Members in charge of agriculture
and unwavering support from the Intergovernmental
Sector Working Group on Policy and Legislation. We
thank the entire members of staff from the Ministry
of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation,
technical directors, intergovernmental secretariat and
the Sector state corporations for their contribution
towards finalization of this Policy. We sincerely thank
the Swedish Inter National Development Agency (SIDA)
through Agricultural Sector Development Support
Project (ASDSP) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
InterNationale Zusammenarbeit German Development
Cooperation (GDC) and the European Union (EU)
through Food Security and Drought Resilience
Programme for funding the development of this Policy.
We also appreciate the contributions from other
development partners in the sector who took time to
provide feedback and valuable inputs to this Policy.
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EXECUTIVE In 1983, the District Focus for Rural Development was

introduced as a measure towards providing proximate
administrative services to the people. It enhanced
SUMMARY
The Agricultural Sector contributes over 31.3% of
participation in decision making and improved
identification of local priorities. The Structural
Adjustment Programmes of 1990s led to restructuring
the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a
of agricultural institutions, liberalization of product
further 27% through manufacturing, distribution
prices and privatization of services.
and service sectors and accounted for 69.7% of the
total export earnings. The Sector employs over 80%
The Integrated Agricultural Development Programmes
of Kenya’s rural work force and provides more than
were meant for the development of smallholder
15.5% of formal employment (KNBS, 2018). Overall
agriculture by establishing wholesome farming systems
marketed agricultural production increased from KES
through provision of agricultural inputs and strength-
413.2 billion in 2016 to KES 465.7 billion in 2019 with
ening of extension services and institutions. In 2000,
marketed crops accounting for 68.3%. The agricultural
the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) was
production comprised livestock and products at KES
developed to address the twin objectives of driving
147.9 billion; tea at KES 104.1 billion; other permanent
economic growth and reducing poverty.
crops at KES 14.6 billion; temporary industrial crops at
KES 18.8 billion; horticulture at KES 144.6 billion; and
In 2003, the PRSP gave rise to the Economic Recovery
cereals at KES 35.8 billion (KNBS, 2020). The Kenya
Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation that
Vision 2030 recognizes the significance of agriculture
focused on growth and macroeconomic stability;
towards its goals that aim to achieve an average Gross
improved governance; social equity, poverty reduction
Domestic Product growth rate of 10% per year up to
and rehabilitation of infrastructure. Later, in 2004,
the year 2030.
the Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture was launched.
It represented the National Policy for steering the
Over the years, development of the Agricultural
revitalization and development of the Agricultural
Sector has been guided by different plans, policies and
Sector over the period 2004 to 2014.
strategies. Such included, the Swynnerton Plan of 1954
discouraged traditional land tenure and introduced
In 2010, the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy
title deeds that created security of tenure and ability
was developed and it provided a framework for
to obtain credit. The Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965
progressive agricultural growth and development in
on African Socialism and its application to planning
the next 10 years. It mainly aimed at transforming
in Kenya envisaged concentration of agricultural
Agri- culture into a modern and commercially viable
investment in high rainfall areas.
Sector. The Strategy will be reviewed to anchor it to
this Policy.
In spite of recording impressive growth as a result

of the outlined plans, policies and strategies, the
Agricultural Sector still faces many challenges.
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The challenges include highly erratic and unpredictable

rainfall in ASAL counties (84% of the country), a
steady reduction of agricultural land; low agricultural
production and productivity; poor marketing, low
diversification in production, market uncertainties
and low value addition to agricultural products; high
post-harvest losses and unfavorable taxation and tax
regimes. Other key challenges are ineffective and
ineffcient inter-sectoral linkages for development
of agriculture; high cost of credit for investment in
agriculture; poor governance in farmer organizations
and farmer cooperatives; fewer adherences to
demand-driven research for agricultural development;
ineffective research-extension-farmer linkages and
inadequate insurance facilities to cushion farmers and
fisher folk from production uncertainties.
This Agricultural Policy undertakes to address the
identified challenges in the Agricultural Sector by
providing guidelines to the National and County
Governments; specifying the different roles towards
ensuring household and national food and nutrition
security; food safety; increasing agricultural production
and productivity through the use of appropriate good
quality and affordable inputs; facilitating access to
premium domestic, regional and international markets
and reducing post-harvest losses while promoting
agribusiness, value addition and product development.
Other guidelines outlined in the Policy include
strengthening inter-governmental relations,
agricultural institutions, developing institutional
linkages and enhancing collaboration in order to
create harmony and synergy in developing agricultural
resources; harnessing resources for improved
agricultural output in partnership with the private
sector and introducing appropriate financing and
insurance systems in the agricultural sector; promoting
demand-driven research and timely dissemination
of research findings in the agricultural sector and
conserving bio-diversity of different crops, livestock
and fish.
The Policy adheres to relevant provisions of the

regional economic communities while recognizing and
embracing international standards in crop, fisheries,
animals and animal products and food and feed safety.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD i
PREFACE ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ix
GLOSSARY xi
CHAPTER ONE 1
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. Background 1
1.1.1. The Crops Sub-Sector 1
1.1.2. The Livestock Sub-Sector 2
1.1.3. The Fisheries Sub-Sector 3
1.1.4 Agricultural Research 3
1.2. Trends in Global, Regional and Local Production in Crops, Livestock and Fisheries 4
1.2.1. Global Trends 4
1.2.2. Regional Trends 5
1.2.3. Local Trends 5
1.3. History of Agricultural Policy Development in Kenya 6
1.3.1. Pre-independence Agricultural Policies 6
1.3.2. Post-independence Policies and strategies 7
1.4. Legal Framework 10
1.5. Kenya Vision 2030 and Medium Term Plans 10
1.6. Agriculture and the Constitution of Kenya 11
1.7. Scope of the Policy 11
1.8. Rationale and Justification of the Policy 12
CHAPTER TWO 14
2. CHALLENGES, POLICY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 14
2.1. Challenges in Agriculture 14
2.2. Guiding Principles of the Policy 15
2.3. Vision 15
2.4. Mission 15
2.5. Goals of the Policy 15
2.6. Objectives of the Policy 16
CHAPTER THREE 17
3. POLICY STATEMENTS 17
3.1. Food and Nutrition Security 17
3.2. Land Use for Crops, Livestock and Fisheries 18
3.3. Production and Productivity 20
3.4. Biotechnology in Agriculture 21
3.5. Post-harvest Losses 22
3.6. Water for Agriculture 23
3.7. Food and feed safety 24
3.8. Agricultural Trade and Marketing 25
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3.9. Agricultural Inputs 27

3.10. Agricultural Mechanization 29
3.11. Agribusiness and Value Addition 30
3.12. Research and Development 31
3.13. Extension 33
3.14. Agricultural Financing and Investment 34
3.15. Institutional Reforms 35
3.16. Information and Data Management 36
3.17. Labour in Crops, Livestock and Fisheries 37
3.18. Agricultural Insurance 38
3.19. Private sector participation 39
3.20. Agriculture in a changing climate 40
3.21. Cross-Cutting Issues 42
3.21.1. Disaster Management 42
3.21.2. Governance 43
3.21.3. Human Resource Development and Management 43
3.21.4. Gender in Agriculture 45
3.21.5. Youth in Agriculture 45
3.21.6. Human Diseases Affecting Agriculture 46
3.21.7. Vulnerable Groups 47
3.21.8. Drugs and Substance Abuse 47
3.21.9. Management of Shared Natural Resources 48
3.21.10. Literacy Levels 48
CHAPTER FOUR 50
4. IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK 50
4.1. Legal Framework 50
4.2. Institutional Framework 50
4.2.1. The National Government 50
4.2.2. The County Governments 50
4.2.3. Intergovernmental Relations 50
4.2.4. Private Sector 51
4.2.5. Professional Regulatory Bodies 51
4.2.6. Agriculture Sector Support Institutions 52
4.2.7. Ministry Responsible for Health 53
4.2.8. Ministry Responsible for Energy 53
4.2.9. Ministry Responsible for Transport and Infrastructure 53
4.2.10. The National Treasury 54
4.2.11. Ministry Responsible for Industrialization and Enterprise Development 54
4.2.12. Ministries Responsible For Land, Water and Environment 54
4.2.13. Ministries Responsible For Internal Security, Labour, Trade, Devolution 56
4.2.14. Farmer and Fisher Folk Organizations 57
4.2.15. Non State Actors 57
4.2.16. International Organizations 58
4.2.17. Regional Economic Communities 61
4.3. Financing and Investments in Agriculture 64
4.4. Monitoring and Evaluation 64
4.5. Communication Strategy 65
Bibliography 66
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ARR Annual Review Report
AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AFSD Agriculture and Food Security Division
AgGDP Agricultural Gross Domestic Product
ASALs Arid and Semi-Arid Lands
ASDS Agricultural Sector Development Strategy
CAADP Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme
CAC Codex Alimentarius Commission
COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
DAC District Agricultural Committee
DDC District Development Committee
DFRD District Focus for Rural Development
EAC East African Community
ERS Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation
GDP Gross Domestic Product
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
HIV Human Immune-deficiency Virus
NARC National Rainbow Coalition
ICT Information Communication Technology
IGAD The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development
IFAD InterNational Fund for Agricultural Development
IPPC International Plant Protection Convention
MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework
MTP Medium Term Plan
NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development
NGO Non- Governmental Organization
NIMES National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
OIE World Organization for Animal Health
PPP Public-Private Partnership
PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
SAPs Structural Adjustment Programmes
SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards
SRA Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture
UNCCD The UN Convention to Combat Desertification
UNEP United Nation Environment Programme
WTO World Trade Organizations
WFP World Food Programme
LVFO Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization
SWIOFC South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission
WIOMSA West Indian Ocean Marine Science Association
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GLOSSARY
Agriculture In this document, agriculture means crop, livestock and fisheries.
Agricultural Sector The crop, livestock and fishery subsectors”. The Agricultural
Sector is functionally related to the Land, Water, Environment,
Forestry and Cooperative Sectors.
Agro-ecology An approach to farming that “centers on food production that

makes the best use of nature’s goods and services while not
damaging these resources.” It applies ecology to the design of
farming systems; uses a whole-systems approach to farming and
food systems; and links ecology, culture, economics and society to
create healthy environments, food production and communities.
Agricultural value
chain Refers to the whole range of goods and services required to
produce an agricultural product or produce and access the market
and the final consumer with appropriate waste management.
Commercial
agriculture Agricultural production that provides more than 50% marketable
surplus. Producers mainly target markets and aim to meet
different needs of customers. The overall goal of commercial
agriculture is profit maximization.
Capture fisheries Refers to all kinds of harvesting of naturally occurring living fish
resources in both marine and freshwater environments.
Consolidation of land
for agriculture Organization of land uses through participatory rural physical
planning with a view to availing land already under other uses or
preserving unsettled land for agricultural production. The guiding
principle being “discouraging further subdivision of agricultural
land and settlements in agricultural land while identifying and
designating new settlement areas outside agricultural land where
planned residential houses or homesteads will be constructed”.
Consolidation in heavily populated rural areas will be a gradual
process that is expected to take place in 10-20 years.
Climate Smart
Agriculture An approach to developing technical, policy and investment
conditions towards achievement of sustainable agricultural
development for food security under climate change.
Emerging livestock Non-conventional animals that have recently gained use as a

source of livelihood or wealth.
Emerging crops Non-conventional crops that have recently gained use as a source
of livelihood or wealth.
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Entrepreneurship The capacity and willingness to develop organise and manage

a business taking into account possible risks in order to make
a profit. An entrepreneur has the ability to translate ideas,
challenges, innovations or technologies into commercially viable
opportunities.
Farmer A person, who grows crops, rears livestock or produces fish.
Feed Any single or multiple materials, whether processed, semi-

processed or raw, which is intended to be fed directly to animals.
Food Any substance, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which

is intended for human consumption.
Fisheries Refers to the activities leading to and resulting in the harvesting

of fish and involves capture of wild fish or raising of fish through
aquaculture.
Fishery Refers to the species, the fishing gear and method used or area.
Livestock Refers to domesticated animals reared in an agricultural setting

to support livelihoods and generate income.
Genetic material Any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing
functional units of heredity.
Genetic resources Genetic material of actual or potential value in crops, livestock

and fisheries.
Marginalized group A group of people who, because of certain laws or practices, were
previously economically, socially or culturally disadvantaged.
Produce Farm products in their original state.
Warehouse receipt A document that provides proof of ownership of commodities

stored in a warehouse, vault or depository by a producer,
manufacturer or distributor.
Subsistence
agriculture Agricultural production intended to provide enough food for the
farmer and his or her household, with less than 25% marketable
surplus.
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CHAPTER ONE Kenya has an area of about 587,000 km2 out of which
11,000 km2 is water. Of the remaining 576,000 km2
1. INTRODUCTION landmass, only about 16% is of high and medium
agricultural potential with adequate and reliable
1.1 Background rainfall. This potentially arable land is dominated by
commercial agriculture with cropland occupying 31%,
The economy of Kenya is primarily dependent on grazing land 30% and forests 22%. The rest of the land is
agriculture. About 80% of the total Kenyan population used for human settlements and game parks. Capital,
lives in the rural areas and are directly or indirectly the other major factor of agricultural production, will
engaged in a wide range of activities in crops, be key in the transformation of fisheries, livestock and
livestock and fisheries (ASDS, 2010). Agriculture is the crop production into viable commercial undertaking.
mainstay of the Kenyan economy with great potential Credit advanced by commercial banks to various
for growth. private enterprises was KES 1,915 billion in December
2017 of which only KES 83 billion was advanced to the
The Agricultural Sector is characterized by various Agriculture Sector.
production systems that vary in efficiency, productivity
and resilience. These are extensive, semi intensive, Inadequate entrepreneurial skills have been found to
intensive and are dependent on agro-ecological inhibit commercialization of agriculture. Many actors
zonation. The Agricultural Sector comprises of the in agricultural value chains lack a “business mindset”
following sub-sectors: crops, livestock and fisheries. and continue to engage in enterprises that offer little
There are many stakeholders in the Sector due to its change in their levels of income. Without adequate
role in the economy and its rural-based nature that entrepreneurial skills, agricultural value chain
touches the livelihoods of many people. actors with more than one source of income tend to
unknowingly subsidize unviable agricultural enterprises
According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics while those who mainly rely on agriculture continue
(2018) the Agricultural Sector contributed 31.3% of the to be poor. There is need to improve entrepreneurial
country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a further skills of agricultural value chain actors.
27% through manufacturing, distribution and service
sectors. It also accounted for 69.7% of the total export About 84% of the country is arid or semi-arid and is not
earnings. The sector employs over 80% of Kenya’s rural suitable for rain fed crop farming due to low and erratic
work force and provides more than 15.5% of formal rainfall though there is limited cultivation of some
employment (KNBS, 2018). crops. The ASALs are used for rangeland production by
ranchers, agro pastoralists and pastoralists. The future
Overall marketed Agricultural production increased of agricultural growth depends on intensification
by 12.7% from KES 413.2 billion in 2016 to KES 465.7 and substitution towards high value products and
billion in 2019 with marketed crops accounting for expansion of cultivable area, availability of forage and
68.2%. This comprised Livestock and Products KES water resources through irrigation for crops, livestock
147.9 billion; Tea KES 104.1 billion; Other permanent and fisheries production.
crops KES 14.5 billion; Temporary Industrial crops
KES 18.4 billion; Horticulture KES 144.6 billion; and
cereals KES 35.8 billion (KNBS, 2020). The fisheries
and aquaculture production had a slide decline from
147, 678 metric tonnes in 2016 to 146, 543 metric
tonnes in 2019 valued at KES 24.4 billion to 23.7 billion
respectively (KNBS, 2020).
Land is the most important resource in agricultural

production. Limited availability of productive land is a
major constraint to increased agricultural production.
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1.1.1 The Crops Sub Sector a result of declines in the value of tea, unroasted
The Crops sub Sector comprises of food, horticultural coffee and horticultural exports. To cover deficits in
and industrial crops among others. According to the crop production, the country imported 1,328 thousand
2018 Economic Survey report of Kenya, industrial tonnes of maize, 1,855.0 thousand tonnes of wheat
crops contributed 72% of the Agricultural Gross and 990 thousand tonnes of sugar (KNBS, 2018). This
Domestic Product (AgGDP) in 2018. The main industrial indicated a significant rise of crop imports into the
crops in Kenya include tea, coffee, sugarcane, cotton, country. However, Tea and horticulture remained key
sunflower, pyrethrum, barley, tobacco, sisal, coconut agricultural items in domestic exports in 2019 while
and bixa, all of which contribute about 69.7% of wheat and rice were major imported items. The value
agricultural exports. Tea a leading foreign exchange of tea exports declined by 18.2 per cent from KES
earner; its export value has decreased from KES 147.3 138.8 billion in 2018 to KES 113.6 billion in 2019 while
billion in 2017 to KES 104.1 billion in 2019. Industrial the value of horticultural exports declined by 1.1 per
crops whose production have declined but have great cent to KES 122.9 billion. Earnings from unroasted
potential are pyrethrum, cotton, oil crops, coffee, coffee went down by 12.1 per cent to KES 20.3 billion
cashew nuts and sisal. (MoAL&F, 2015; KNBS, 2020). in 2019 albeit the increase in the quantities exported.
(KNBS; 2020).
Horticulture is a critical Industry in the country that
has recorded a remarkable export driven growth in 1.1.2 Livestock Sub Sector
the past decade. In 2017 fresh horticultural crops The Livestock Sub Sector contributes about 11% of the
contributed KES 115.3 billion accounting for 21.4 AgGDP and about 4% of National Agricultural Gross
per cent of the total value of domestic exports but Domestic Product (GDP). The sub Sector employs 50%
increased to KES 144.6 billion in 2019. of the agricultural labor force and over 10 million
Kenyans living in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)
Food crops contribute about 32% of the AgGDP and derive their livelihood largely from livestock. About
0.5% of exports earning. Crop production declined 60% of the countries’ livestock herd is found in the
in 2017 due to depressed performance of the long ASALs, (KNBS, 2020).
and short rains. The Sector’s real gross value-added
growth decelerated to 1.6 % in 2017. Production in The Livestock Sub Sector has the potential to provide
2017 of maize, wheat and paddy rice was 35.4 million adequate supplies of all animal products to meet
bags, 165.2 thousand tonnes and 81.2 thousand tonnes domestic food and nutrition needs as well as generate
respectively. Production in 2019 of maize, wheat and surplus for export. The National census of 2019 showed
paddy rice was 39.8 million bags, 366.2 thousand that Kenya’s animal resource base comprised of 2.2
tonnes and 160.2 thousand tonnes respectively While million dairy cattle, 559,000 dairy beef, 13 million
in 2017 production of beans and Irish potatoes was 9.4 indigenous cattle, 19.3 million sheep, 28 million goats,
million bags and 1.5 million tonnes respectively, in 4.6 million camels, 1.2 million donkeys, 443,000 pigs,
2019 they production of Beans and Irish potatoes were 30.3 million indigenous chicken, 5.6 million layers,
8.3 million bags and 2 million tonnes respectively. 2.9 million broilers, 561,000 rabbits and 1.2 million
Sugar cane total production was 4.8 million tonnes in beehives.
2017 compared to 4.6 million tonnes in 2020(KNBS, According to the KNBS (2020) the number of animals
2020). slaughtered in abattoirs in 2019 was 3,080.8 thousand
heads of cattle, 11,302.7 thousand goats and sheep,
Despite the decline in production of most crops, 413.5 thousand pigs. During the same period a total of
the value of principal domestic export commodities 668.2 million litres were delivered to dairy processors,
rose by 4.8 per cent to KES 530.6 billion in 2017 but
declined by 4.1 per cent to 520.8 billion in 2019 as
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marking an increase in production of 5.3%. The quantity Kenya’s annual fish production is valued at
of exported leather increased by 12.1% in 2017 to approximately KES. 24 billion at ex-vessel price. Inland
24,271tonnes while that of Hides and Skins declined capture fisheries (fresh water) contributed 120,873
by 60.2% to 1,105 tonnes in 2017, (KNBS, 2018). tonnes (82.4%) of fish valued at KES. 18.92 billion while
marine capture fisheries contributed 25,670 tonnes
The value of marketed livestock and livestock products (17.5%) valued at KES.4.78 billion. (KNBS, 2020).
increased by 8.3% KES 446.9 billion in 2017. This Kenya’s aquatic ecosystem and species are prone to
comprised KES 93.63 billion for Cattle products; KES diverse anthropogenic threats. Pollution, uncontrolled
6.782 billion for Goats and Sheep products; KES 10.674 water abstraction, deforestation, siltation, and
billion Chicken and eggs; and KES 20.878 billion for unregulated physical developments have serious
milk and milk products in 2017 (MoALF&I, KNBS, 2018). and significant impacts on the breeding areas of
coastal and inland waters. The proliferation of alien
Animal resources support livelihoods, contribute aquatic flora and fauna invasive species threatens
to nutrition as a source of food, provide wealth for sustainability of indigenous species. Other factors
Kenyans and significantly contribute to the national affecting fishery stocks include global warming
and drying of water bodies as a result of climate
economy. In totality, the animal resource industry
change. Fisheries have cross border challenges that
(livestock, wildlife, farmed wildlife, companion and
need regional and international solutions. The
aquatic animals) contributes 22% of the National GDP
International and regional bodies that provide policy
(Behnke, 2011). Improvement in early warning and direction, legislation and coordination mechanisms
response, animal genetics, control of trade sensitive for conservation, management and development
diseases, value addition to livestock produce and in fisheries and aquaculture include; Lake Victoria
increased access to markets can greatly increase the Fisheries Organization (LVFO), South West Indian
industry’s performance. Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), Indian Ocean
Commission (IOC), West Indian Ocean Marine Science
1.1.3 The Fisheries Sub Sector Association (WIOMSA) among others.
Fisheries are major sources of income, food, 1.1.4 Agricultural Research and
employment and foreign exchange earnings in Kenya. Development
Lake Victoria is the most important source of fish in Agricultural research is highly correlated to growth
East Africa and the biggest source of freshwater fish and development in agriculture to tackle challenges
on the African continent. The lake is also important in in agricultural value chains. Research is increasingly
conservation terms because of its great biodiversity of needed for diversification, product value addition,
endemic fish species. market access, enhancing incomes and gender
mainstreaming. It is needed to improve product
quality, food safety and equity in economic growth,
Kenya’s Fisheries Sub Sector is mainly composed
while limiting the negative effects on the environment.
of freshwater (lakes, rivers and dams) and marine
Research is carried out by publicly funded institutions,
(Indian Ocean) sources with the rest coming from
private sector, regional and international research
aquaculture. Fish production is estimated at 150,000 institutions but without a common vision leading to
tonnes annually, the sub Sector contributes about 0.8% lack of cohesion, inefficient use of resources and
of the country’s National GDP and 5% of AgGDP. The limited impact. Inadequate agricultural technology
sub Sector provides food, employment and incomes to and innovation development transfer and successful
a large part of the population and earned the country adoption is therefore leading to low productivity
KES. 23.7 billion in 2019. (NARS Policy, 2012).
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1.2. Trends in Global, Regional and in 2013 (FAOSTAT, 2018). The production of meats in
Local Production in Crops, the developing world tripled between 1980 and 2002
Livestock and Fisheries from 45 to 134 million tonnes. Livestock growth was
The world food production has increased substantially concentrated in countries that experienced rapid
in the last century, as has the population thus the per economic growth, particularly in East Asia which
capita calorie intake. The world has made significant involved poultry, pigs and their products. In the
progress in raising food consumption per person. In developed countries, production and consumption
the last three and a half decades it increased from of livestock products is growing slowly and skewed
an average of 2370 kcal/person/day to 2770 kcal/ towards large livestock mainly sheep, goats, beef and
person/day, (Bruinsma, 2012). However, the absolute dairy.
number of undernourished people has increased the
current food crisis to over 963 million (UNEP, 2014). According to (FAOSTAT, 2018), global fish production
The demand for food is projected to continue to has grown steadily in the last five decades with food
increase as a result of population growth and growing fish supply increasing at an average annual rate of
consumption of animal products in the developing 3.2% and outpacing world population growth at 1.6%.
world. World food production rose substantially in the World food fish aquaculture production expanded at
last century, primarily as a result of increasing use of an average annual rate of 6.2 % in the period 2004
irrigation and fertilizer, improved technologies and - 2012 from 32.4 million to 66.6 million tonnes. A
expansion of agriculture into new lands and waters. significant but declining proportion of world fisheries
production is processed into fishmeal and fish oil which
The projected global economic growth of about is produced from whole fish, fish remains or other
2.9% annually is expected to contribute a significant fish by products. About 35% of the world fishmeal
reduction or even near elimination of absolute production was obtained from fish residues in 2012.
“economic” poverty in the developing countries. This Overall, women accounted for more than 15% of all
means that, the market demand for food and feeds people directly engaged in the fisheries primary sector
will continue to grow. Demand for cereals, for both in 2012. Fish remains among the most traded food
food and animal feed is projected to reach some 3 commodities worldwide. The share of total fisheries
billion tonnes by 2050, (FAO, IFAD and WFP, 2014). production exported in different product forms for
human consumption or non-edible purposes grew from
1.2.1 Global Trends 25% in 1976 to 37% (58 million tonnes live-weight
The major crops grown in the world include; maize, equivalent) in 2012.
wheat, tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane and cocoa.
These are spread all over the world depending on
their ecological suitability. The global production
of cereals and pulses was estimated at 6.7 and 0.5
million tonnes respectively in 2013. There has been
an incremental growth in production for all major
crops over the years due to human population growth,
changing lifestyles accentuated by resettlement of
agro pastoral and pastoral communities diversifying to
crop and fish farming.
The global production of dairy and dairy products was

227 million tonnes while meats were 616 million tonnes
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1.2.2 Regional Trends Agricultural Sector has evolved through a series of

socio-political dynamics and reforms. A number of
Horn of Africa comprises of; Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan,
policies and sessional papers have greatly influenced
Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Uganda, Southern Sudan
this growth and development.
and Tanzania. It has a dynamic livestock sub sector.
Crops are restricted to specific climatic environments
in specific countries. In 2013, the production of 1.3.1 Pre-independence Agricultural
cereals and pulses was 4.75 and 0.51 million tonnes Policies
respectively. The livestock subsector produced 2.2 and The development of African agriculture in Kenya from
7.9 million tonnes of dairy and meat products over the pre-independence period (1902-1960) was mainly
same period. Three categories of fisheries are utilized influenced by the colonial administration policies and
in Africa namely; marine, inland and aquaculture. In advocacy by the European farmers’. This period is
2012, the production of these fisheries was estimated credited for establishment of agricultural extension
at 5.5, 2.7 and 1.65 million metric tonnes from marine, services, agricultural research, introduction of exotic
inland and aquaculture respectively that represented livestock and cash crops. In 1901, the East African
a 7%, 23% and 2% of the global fisheries catch (FAOSTAT, Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the predecessor
2015). of Agricultural Society of Kenya, was formed by John
1.2.3 Local Trends Ainsworth to promote agricultural development based
on European settlement. The first show was held at
The trend of agriculture production over the last the present day Jeevanjee gardens in 1902. In 1903,
five years has been incremental. For instance, the the Colonial Government established an Agriculture
major crops namely cereals and pulses, horticulture, Department in the country.
industrial crops such as tea, coffee whose total value
at recorded market agricultural production at current Three types of government interventions in the
prices was estimated at KES. 242 billion in 2013 and history of agriculture in Kenya were towards; land
KES. 311 billion 2017. The production of animal and tenure policies, marketing and pricing and agricultural
animal products increased; in 2013 the production research. Land tenure policy consisted primarily of
of meats was estimated at KES 78 billion and KES 16 reallocating property and sole land rights to settlers.
billion of milk, compared to KES 115 billion and 20 The first twenty years of colonial settlement focused
billion in 2017 respectively. The production of fisheries on the Nakuru region. Between 1905 and 1914, over
and aquaculture has shown decline from 163,389 four million acres of land were alienated from Africans
tonnes in 2013 to 135,100 tonnes in 2017. Inland to European settlers. In 1919, the British East African
capture, marine and aquaculture fisheries in 2017 Maize Growers Association was formed by the settlers.
contributed 99, 458tonnes; 23,286 tonnes and 12,356 This Association later evolved into Kenya Farmers
tonnes respectively (KNBS, 2018). Association. By 1920, there was already a strong
settlers' push for full economic and political control
1.3 History of Agricultural Policy of the colony.
Development in Kenya
The history of agricultural policy formulation in Kenya In 1921, due to the world economic recession
is linked to entrenchment of the colonial government’s occasioned by World War 1, the colonial government
responded to the low prices of Kenyan exports by
first legislative body constituted to apportion land and
appointing the Browning Committee to promote and
fisheries resources through a series of ordinances.
protect European production of a wide range of crops.
This promoted settler farming and agriculture based In 1923, the British government, in an effort to address
recreational interests in the 1920s. Since then, Kenya’s
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the concerns of Africans, developed the Devonshire private sector investment. The policy envisaged
White paper, which stated that the interests of concentration of agricultural investment in high
Africans was paramount and superseded that of the rainfall areas. According to the policy, these areas had
settlers. This principle was ignored by the white abundant natural resources, good land and adequate
settlers resulting in more alienation of more African rainfall, transport and energy facilities and a people
land. The African population was seen as a source of
receptive to and active in development. Potential
labour to the settlers.
impacts could be realized easily and the marginal
During World War II, the British government promoted areas could benefit from the spill over.
Kenyan agriculture as part of the war effort. Guaran-
teed prices and returns per acre, continued marketing 1.3.2.2 District Focus for Rural
control and other policies were introduced to assist Development
settlers and to increase food production for the troops. Kenya followed a strongly centralized development
The Ten-Year Development Plan of 1946 gave greater planning strategy since independence in 1963. In 1983,
consideration to African farmers and resulted to the a new approach referred to as the District Focus for
Swynnerton Plan of 1954 whose implementation over Rural Development (DFRD) was introduced. The DFRD
the next eight years signaled a change with increasing
made the district a centre of planning, implementation
attention accorded to African agriculture.
and management of rural development. It took
The Swynnerton Plan aimed at intensifying the administrative services closer to the people, enhanced
development of agriculture in the Kenya colony and participation in decision making and improved
was geared towards expanding crop and livestock identification of local priorities. Prioritization of
production for the natives. The plan advocated programmes and projects in agriculture were done
reversal of the policy of maintaining traditional or through district structures such as District Agricultural
tribal systems of land tenure and issuing of title deeds Committees (DACs) and District Development
that created security of tenure and ability to obtain Committees (DDCs).
credit. It allowed African farmers to grow cash crops
among other changes.
1.3.2.3 Structural Adjustment
1.3.2 Post-independence Policies and Programmes
Strategies Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) were a
1.3.2.1 The Sessional Paper No. 10 of series of economic and political reforms initiated
1965 on African Socialism and by the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank and
its Application to Planning in International Monetary Fund) in developing countries
Kenya with the aim of enhancing economic growth and
development. In Kenya, SAPs were implemented in the
Upon attainment of independence in 1963, the
1990s. They were articulated in the Sessional Paper
economic aims of the new government were set out in
No. 4 of 1980 on Economic Prospects and Policies and
the Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism
later elaborated in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1986 on
and its Application to Planning in Kenya.
Economic Management for Renewed Growth which
The main thrust of this Strategy was promotion of rapid
acted as the blueprint for the implementation of SAPs.
economic growth through public sector programmes,
encouragement of both smallholder and large-scale
farming and the pursuit of accelerated growth of
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The Sessional Papers provided ideal development In addressing agricultural objectives, PRSP developed
targets and policy guidelines and were meant to a framework for implementation of key priority
attract support from development partners by programmes and projects aimed at addressing core
rewarding governments that adopted the reforms. poverty in the rural areas that were, and still are,
The reforms led to significant changes in agriculture almost entirely dependent on agriculture. PRSP
including restructuring of agricultural institutions, provided for mobilization of resources for investment
liberalization of product prices, and privatization of in agriculture from development partners and local
services and retrenchment of public servants some of sources.
whom served in critical areas in the Sector.
1.3.2.4 Integrated Agricultural 1.3.2.6 Economic Recovery Strategy

Development Programmes for Wealth and Employment
Creation
The Integrated Agricultural Development Programmes
were financed by the World Bank and were meant for In 2003, the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth
the development of smallholder agriculture. They and Employment Creation (ERS) was developed.
introduced a new approach to development planning The ERS took into account proposals in the five-
on a pilot basis. They aimed at establishing whole farm year Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the National
systems through provision of inputs and strengthening Rainbow Coalition (NARC) party manifesto and other
of extension services and institutions. This was meant Government policy documents. The ERS focused on
to provide support for a wide-range of crop and four main pillars namely growth and macroeconomic
livestock activities in four of Kenya's then provinces. stability, improved governance, social equity, poverty
The project targeted production of maize, beans, reduction and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
cotton, potatoes, passion fruit, oil seeds, meat and
milk by about 70,000 small-scale farmers operating The Strategy led to the formation of key institutions
some 56,000 farm holdings. to spearhead implementation of policies and improve
service delivery in the public sector. Under ERS, the
1.3.2.5 Poverty Reduction Strategy economy grew by 2.9 % in 2003, 6.1 % in 2006 and 7 %
Paper in 2007.
In June, 2000, Kenya adopted the interim Poverty
Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) which coincided with 1.3.2.7 Strategy for Revitalizing
the first Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Agriculture
budget and formed the basis of the full PRSP. The PRSP
The Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture (SRA) was
had twin objectives of Economic growth and Poverty
launched by the Government of Kenya in March 2004.
reduction. The Paper identified strategies to integrate
The Strategy entailed a unified Agricultural Sector
sectoral objectives and ensure that priority actions
response towards the support of the ERS. It represented
were consistent with the goals of spurring growth
the national policy for steering the revitalization and
and reducing poverty. PRSP was guided by general
development of the country’s agricultural sector over
principles and key objectives of linking policy, planning
the period 2004 to 2014. The overriding goal of the SRA
and budgeting, identifying National development
was to achieve progressive reduction of unemployment
objectives and priorities, quality expenditure leading
and poverty in Kenya.
to effciency gains and harmonization of financing
frameworks.
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1.3.2.8 Agricultural Sector Agricultural Sector Acts whose provisions that are
Development Strategy still relevant need to be accommodated in newer
laws such as: Agriculture Act, Cap. 318; Agricultural
The Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS Produce (Export) Act, (Cap. 319); Agricultural Produce
2010 – 2020) is the overall National policy document Marketing Act, (Cap. 320); Crop Production and
for the Agricultural Sector. The ASDS defines the Livestock Act, (Cap. 321); Canning Crops Act, (Cap.
characteristics, challenges, opportunities, vision, 328); Cereals and Sugar Finance Corporation (Cap. 329);
mission, strategic thrusts and various interventions Coconut Industry Act, (Cap. 331); Coconut Preservation
that the Sector will undertake to propel agricultural Act, (Cap. 332); Cotton Act, (Cap. 335); Pyrethrum Act,
growth and development. (Cap. 340); Sisal Industry Act, (Cap. 341); Tea Act, (Cap.
343); Coffee Act, (No. 9 of 2001); Sugar Act, (No. 10 of
The ASDS has incorporated not only the successes 2001); The Irrigation Act, (Cap. 347). Relevant sections
but also the lessons learnt from the SRA. The ASDS of these repealed laws need to be accommodated in
provides a framework for stimulating, guiding new and reviewed laws. The Fisheries Management and
and directing progressive agricultural growth and Development Act, 2016 repealed the Fisheries Act,
development in the next 10 years. Its main thrust is to Cap.378. There is need for continuous review of the
transform agriculture into a modern and commercially Sector laws.
viable sector. The ASDS domesticate Comprehensive
Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 1.5. Kenya Vision 2030 and
whose overall goal is to help African countries reach Medium Term Plans
a higher path of economic growth through agriculture
The Kenya Vision 2030 is the country’s development
led development which eliminates hunger, reduced
poverty and food insecurity and enables expansion of blue print covering 2008 to 2030 whose primary goal
exports. is to transform the country to a newly industrializing
“middle income country, providing a high quality of
1.4. Laws Governing the Agriculture life for all its citizens by the year 2030”. It aspires to
Sector foster achievement of the United Nation’s Millennium
The Agricultural Policy aims at improving on the Development Goals (MDGs)1, which have now
gains of the ASDS by outlining guidelines that support transformed to the Sustainable Development Goals
realization of ASDS objectives many of which are now (SDGs). The Vision is based on three pillars: economic,
functions of County governments. The ASDS will be social and political.
reviewed to implement this Policy. The Agriculture
Sector has been guided by several laws. Key among The economic pillar recognizes agriculture as a critical
them are; The Agriculture, and Food Authority (AFA) sector in contributing to attainment of the Vision goals
Act, 2013; The Crops Act, 2013: The Kenya Agriculture
that aim at achieving an average GDP growth rate of
and Livestock Research Organization Act, 2013
10 % per year up to the year 2030. The six key growth
(KALRO Act, 2013), the Fisheries Management and
Development Act, No.35 of 2016, Warehouse Receipt drivers for achievement of the economic vision are
System Act, 2019 and Tea Act, 2020. identified as tourism; increasing value in agriculture;
Other key legislation include: Food, Drug and Chemical a better and more inclusive wholesale and retail
Substance Act (Cap. 254); Maritime Zones Act (Cap. trade sector; manufacturing for the regional market;
371); Biosafety Act (2009); The business process outsourcing and financial services.
Animal Diseases Act (Cap. 364); and The Meat 1
United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals
Control Act(Cap. 356). Research in crops, livestock and
fisheries is guided by the Kenya Agricultural and (MDGs) transformed into the Sustainable Development
Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Act, of 2013. Goals by end of 2015.
The AFA Act and Crops Act repealed the following
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The Vision will be implemented through five year to have adequate food of acceptable quality”. Article
rolling plans, starting with the Medium Term Plan I 60 (1) (c) emphasizes sustainable and productive
which covered the period 2008-2012 followed by the management of land resources while Article 69 (1) (b)
MTP II covering 2013-2017 , current MTP III 2017-2022 stresses the achievement and maintenance of at least
and subsequent five year plans to be adopted until the 10% tree cover of the land area of Kenya.
Year 2030. The Vision 2030 flagship projects during
the implementation of Medium Term Plan III (MTP The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution provides for
III) of Vision 2030 are: Fertilizer Subsidy Programme; devolution of specific functions in agriculture to the
Agricultural Mechanization Programme; Food and County governments. The National government retains
Nutrition Security Programme; Livestock Production the executive function of policy decision making under
Programme; Value Chain Support Program- me; Youth Part 1 Section 29 of the Fourth Schedule, while the
and Women Empowerment in Modern Agriculture counties take up the implementation task of the policies
Programme; Agricultural Insurance Programme; generated by the National Government. Due to the
Research and Capacity Building Programme: Crop importance of agriculture to economic development
Diversification Programme; Coastal Disease Free and realization of the Constitutional requirements, it
Zone Programme and ; the Strategic Food Reserve is necessary to have an Agricultural Policy that guides
programme among others. development of the entire Agricultural Sector and
unbundles National and County Government functions.
In the Fisheries and Blue Economy, there will be
development of Blue Economy Programme; Fisheries
1.7 Scope of the Policy
and Maritime Infrastructure Development Programme;
Exploitation of Living Resources under Blue Economy This Policy will guide the Agricultural Sector in achieving
Programme; Aquaculture Business Development its objectives as envisaged in the Constitution of
Programme; and Aquaculture Technology and Kenya and Vision 2030. The Policy articulates a clear
vision for organization of the Sector. It provides for
Development and Innovation Transfer Programme.
inter-sectoral linkages across government agencies,
Under irrigation there will be; Irrigation and Drainage
private sector and other public bodies for the Sector’s
Infra- structure development; Irrigation Water
development. In addressing sustainability and use of
Storage Programme and; Irrigation Water Management
natural resources for agricultural development, the
Programme.
Policy gives direction on how watershed development,
agro-forestry, soil and water management, genetic
1.6 Agriculture and the Constitution resources, pasture development and conservation,
of Kenya rangeland rehabilitation and fisheries resources will
be managed. The Policy unbundles the National and
Kenya promulgated a new Constitution in 2010 whose
County Government functions and provides a clear
key features include the creation of National and
role for the private sector.
County Governments with distinct functions. The
Institutional, organizational and legal reforms are
Constitution recognizes the importance of natural
resources and their use for posterity. In Article43 (c)
under the Bill of Rights, the Constitution stipulates that
“every person has the right to be free from hunger and
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envisaged to reflect the changes of mandate and mainstreaming food and nutrition security concerns in
functions owing to devolution of services. The Policy the country’s development programmes and plans. Key
takes cognizance of various incentives such as taxes, primary factors of agricultural production include land
subsidies and grants necessary for the Sector’s and water, to attain continuous food and nutrition
development. security, the Policy provides for their efficient use and
management.
1.8 Rationale and Justification of the
Policy Due to the large number of actors across many sub-
The Agriculture Sector has recorded impressive growth sectors in agriculture, it is necessary to provide a
since independence though many challenges still persist policy direction for guidance in addressing major
in achieving food and nutrition security, transforming development challenges facing the agricultural sector.
agriculture from subsistence to commercial This provision is further necessitated by the realization
production, improving access to markets, efficient that currently, over 80% of Kenyans who are directly or
use of inputs and accessing agricultural credit among indirectly engaged in agricultural activities are ageing
others. Additionally, climatic shocks severely disrupt while rising rural-urban migration is steadily depleting
agricultural production. Despite these challenges the agricultural labour force, if this trend is not
there has never been an Agricultural Policy to guide adequately addressed, the potential in aggravating
growth of the Sector. The growth and development of food insecurity is real.
the sector has been guided by different policies such Urbanization need not signify doom for agricultural
as overall government policies which only identify growth as it presents opportunities for enhanced
agriculture as a key driver for the overall National mechanization and commercialization. It is likely to
development, development plans and strategies. To free rural land from human settlement and increase
address the challenges, various sub-sector strategies; demand for agricultural products in towns and cities.
and commodity-specific strategies and policies have The youth who find agriculture less attractive could
been developed but they have failed to achieve sector develop interest in mechanized and commercial
targets. As such policy gaps have been identified that agriculture and thus sustain efforts to improve food
require a comprehensive sector-wide approach that is security which is the major thrust of this Policy.
multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder.
This Policy provides a framework for sustainable Regional and global policies, protocols and treaties
development of the Agricultural Sector based on the including the East African Community (EAC), Common
requirements of the Constitution, the Kenya Vision Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),
2030, Sustainable Development Goals and other African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and the WTO
National, Regional and International development Agreement affect performance of agriculture in the
goals in agriculture. It outlines effective guidelines for country. The protocols and treaties specify international
efficient use of opportunities and resources available in requirements for trade, market access, sanitary and
the Sector and provides for inter-linkages of agricultural phyto-sanitary standards among others. This Policy is
support systems such as irrigation, extension, infra- aligned to the regional and global agricultural guide-
structure and research. The Policy provides a basis for lines, goals and targets that recognize the importance
of eliminating hunger and ensuring sustainable food
security as a measure towards eradication of poverty
and consequent development of respective nations.
The Policy addresses specific institutional and legal
reforms essential for the integration of agriculture in
the new structure of governance as provided for in the
Constitution of Kenya.
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CHAPTER TWO 10. Inadequate demand-driven research

development in agriculture, low uptake of
for
appropriate agricultural technologies and weak

2. CHALLENGES, POLICY research-extension-farmer linkages.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 11. Inadequate insurance facilities to cushion
farmers and fisher-folk from risks.
2.1. Challenges in Agriculture
12. Unpredictable weather patterns and rainfall
The crops, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors are variability.
affected by many challenges that reduce their
contribution to the economy and improvement of 13. Low budgetary allocation to the agricultural
sector.
livelihoods. The challenges include:
14. Inadequate structured interactive farmer-
1. Declining agricultural land due to a combination
government fora to address issues affecting the
of factors including uncontrolled subdivision,
agricultural sector.
inappropriate land use and effects of climate
change. 15. Low youth participation in agricultural
development.
2. Low and undiversified production and
productivity due to high cost of inputs, low 16. Changing consumer requirements in domestic,
availability of inputs in remote areas, lack of regional and international markets, in addition
targeted subsides, low quality inputs, declining to stringent requirements by trading partners
soil fertility, inadequate use of modern has hindered trade in agriculture, agricultural
technologies, pests and diseases among other products and inputs.
factors.
3. Poor marketing, market uncertainties and low 2.2 Guiding Principles of the Policy
value addition that adversely affect economic
returns and lead to low sustainability of The guiding principles for this policy include:
enterprises in agriculture.
1. Support and strengthening of the food, health
4. High post-harvest losses arising from inadequate and national security interrelationship.
technologies for product development and
storage, poor infrastructure particularly rural 2. Effective and sustainable agricultural
access roads and high energy costs for cooling development.
and processing facilities.
5. Unfavourable taxation and tax regimes that

increase production costs reduce opportunities
for processing due to high cost of technologies
and lower product competiveness in the local
and international markets.
6. Ineffective and inefficient inter-sectoral

linkages and coordination for development of
agriculture and its contribution to improved
food and nutrition security.
7. Limited access to agricultural finances.
8. Socio-cultural barriers to investment in

agriculture.
9. Weak governance in farmer organizations

and farmer cooperatives that is essential
for development of agricultural value chains
particularly product marketing.
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3. A market oriented and modern technology- 2.5. Goals of the Policy

driven agricultural economy.
The goals of this Policy are:
4. Promotion of stable Public–Private–Partnerships
for development of the crops, livestock and 1. To transform crop, livestock and fisheries
fisheries sub-sectors. production into commercially oriented
enterprises that ensures sustainable food and
5. Compliance with international standards in nutrition security.
development and growth of the crops, livestock
2. To provide a framework for the support and
and fisheries sub-sectors. intensification of cooperation and consultation
6. Promotion of Agricultural Ecological Zone- between the National and County governments
and among other stakeholders for enhanced
guided production with improved capacity to
predict and respond to shocks. development of crops, livestock and fisheries.
7. Provide for economically viable, socially 2.6. Objectives of the Policy

equitable and environmentally sustainable use The broad objective of this Policy is to improve food
of land for crops, livestock and fisheries. and nutrition security and maximize incomes through
8. Promotion of fair trading practices along the optimal utilization of resources in the Agricultural
crops, livestock and fisheries value chains. Sector. In actualizing the broad objective, the National
9. Utilization of science and Indigenous Knowledge

and resources.
2.3. Vision
Innovative, sustainable and commercially oriented
crops, livestock and fisheries resources development
and utilization.
2.4. Mission
To facilitate the transformation of agriculture in Kenya
from subsistence production to viable commercial
enterprises.
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and County Governments will ensure that household 5. Reduce post-harvest losses of agricultural
and national food and nutrition security are attained produce and products.
through innovative and cost-effective measures linked 6. Promote agribusiness, value addition and
to the country’s long term development goals. product development.
7. Promote and facilitate access to domestic,

The specific objectives are to:
regional and international markets.
1. Ensure household and national food and 8. Harness resources for improved agricultural
nutrition security. output in partnership with the private sector
and introduce appropriate financing and
2. Pursue commercial agriculture by increasing insurance systems in the agricultural sector.
and diversifying agricultural production and
productivity using appropriate, good quality 9. Protect and conserve bio-diversity that is
and affordable inputs. supportive of sustainable agriculture.
3. Promote demand driven research and timely 10. Promote sustainable natural resource use and
dissemination of research findings in the management for agriculture.
11. Guarantee safety of agricultural produce and
4. Strengthen agricultural institutions, develop
institutional linkages and enhance collaboration products.
to create harmony and synergy in developing
agriculture.
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CHAPTER THREE 3.1.1 Objective

To attain household and national food and nutrition
3. POLICY STATEMENTS security through innovative and sustainable
interventions linked to the Country’s long-term
3.1 Food and Nutrition Security development targets.
Food and nutrition security is said to exist when all
3.1.2 Policy Statements
people, at all times, have physical and economic
access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet The National and County Governments will uphold the
their dietary needs and food preferences for an active principle of “food for health, nutrition and national
and healthy life. These require a nutritionally diverse security”. In this regard, the two levels of government
diet which, combined with a sanitary environment, will:
adequate health services and proper care and feeding
1. Develop annual implementation plans towards
practices, ensure a healthy life for all household
realization of household and National food and
members. nutrition security.
According to the National Food and Nutrition Security 2. Develop and enforce the legal and institutional
Policy of 2012, about one-half of Kenya’s estimated 42 frameworks for implementation of crops,
livestock and fisheries related policies.
million people, are resource poor with over 10 million
suffering from chronic food insecurity and poor nutrition 3. Develop, manage and sustainably use crops,
annually. The country experiences periodic food deficits livestock and fisheries resources.
particularly in the ASALs. A large proportion of the 4. Conserve water catchments and riparian
population is either malnourished or undernourished zones to ensure regular supply of water for
leading to serious health complications. About 30% development of crops, livestock and fisheries
of Kenyan children are classified as undernourished. resources.
Micro-nutrient deficiencies are widespread. Household 5. Improve and maintain physical infrastructure for
food and nutrition insecurity exposes families to development of crops, livestock and fisheries.
disease risks, interferes with growth and development
of children and limits work performance. In recent 6. Improve access to affordable inputs and services
in crops, livestock and fisheries production.
years, it is estimated that at any one time, about
2 million people require assistance to access basic food 7. Promote use of modern and appropriate
requirements. During periods of drought, torrential technologies including biotechnology to
rains and floods, the number of people in dire need of increase and diversify food and feed production
and use.
food substantially increases.
8. Develop and promote production and utilization
of diversified food and feed resources in the
crops, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors.
9. Strive to attain food sufficiency and at all

times reserve at least 30% of their annual
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food requirements as strategic food and feed fragmentation of agricultural land holdings for
reserve. settlement mainly due to local cultural requirements
10. Enhance production, access and use of leads to farm sizes getting smaller and negatively
affordable safe and quality food and feeds. impacts production. Economies of scale are lost and
mechanization that increases efficiency on agronomic
The National government will: practices is rendered impractical. Many large state
farms that used to produce seed and breeding stock
1. Develop an integrated food and nutrition have been sub-di- vided and transferred to private
security data and information management
ownership. This has severely affected seed and breed
system for ease of access by stakeholders.
multiplication. Farm holdings near major urban areas
2. Ensure urban food safety and quality control where demand for settlements is constantly increasing
by providing for regulation of food handlers are being developed into estates accelerating the
including vendors. urbanization.
The County Governments will: However, urbanisation presents an opportunity for
marketing of agricultural produce. In other areas large
1. Promote household or community food and tracts of land and water bodies have been invaded by
feed storage at 30% of the annual domestic alien and invasive species rendering them unusable for
requirements. traditional agricultural practices.
2. Promote appropriate use of food and feedstuffs
to mitigate wastage. According to the Ministry of Lands, Water and
Environment, the sizes and distribution of land vary
3. Establish mechanisms to address child
widely as does population density which ranges from
malnutrition.
two persons per square kilometre in the ASALs to a high
4. Promote nutrition education for health. of over 2000 persons per square kilometre in the rain-
fed areas. In the rural areas, farming is dominated by
5. Encourage attitude change toward utilization of
non-conventional foods. small farm holdings and insecure land-tenure systems
that lead to low investment in land improvement
6. Provide for development of urban and peri- and productivity. This contributes to inefficient and
urban agriculture.
ineffective use of land-based resources particularly in
7. Promote safe storage and handling of food to the rain-fed areas where 75% of the population lives.
control food-related hazards.
3.2.1 Objective
To provide for economically viable, socially equitable
3.2 Land Use for Crops, Livestock and and environmentally sustainable use of land for crops,
Fisheries livestock and fisheries.
Land is the most critical resource for crop, livestock
and fisheries production. However, continuous
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3.2.2 Policy Statements poor food storage, pre-and post-harvest losses and
use of inappropriate varieties, breeds, species and
The National and County Governments will: production technologies.
1. Prioritize consolidation of land for crops, Rapid degradation of land and water bodies, land
livestock and fisheries use. subdivision and conversion of agricultural land to
other uses, high cost of inputs, high incidences of
2. Identify, map and regulate zones for agricultural
pests and diseases, growth and spread of noxious and
practices in terms of type of resource, systems,
climatic and ecological diversities. invasive weeds, inadequate extension services and
frequent droughts and floods affect production and
3. Provide for establishment of agricultural productivity. Inadequate resources for monitoring,
model centres of excellence and ensure they control and surveillance of agricultural resources; low
are efficiently utilized and maintained for the involvement of stakeholders in policy formulation,
initial intended purpose. planning, implementation and management; poor
4. Legislate on appropriate land sizes suitable resource use and trans-boundary conflicts are other
for various agricultural enterprises including diverse challenges that affect food production and
conservancies based on ecological zones and productivity.
economic potential.
5. Develop mechanisms for control, management

and use of alien and invasive species.
6. Provide for Sustainable Land Management (SLM)

practices.
The County Governments will:

1. Promote establishment of common settlements
to ease pressure on agricultural land.
2. Promote the establishment and maintenance

of centres of excellence to demonstrate
appropriate land use.
3. Provide for rural and urban land use strategies

to assist communities achieve optimum
productivity and make rural land use planning
an integral part of land adjudication processes.
4. Encourage land owners growing cash crops

to reserve a portion of their land for food
production.
3.3. Production and Productivity

Production of crops, livestock and fisheries has been
practiced by farmers and fisher-folk in the country for
many years, however, productivity has remained low.
The Agricultural Sector has suffered from production
and productivity challenges, among them; variable
weather due to effects of climate change, over-
reliance on rain-fed agriculture, declining soil fertility,
poor inland transport and market infrastructure,
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production, processing, value addition and

Soil is an important natural resource and maintenance trade.
of its fertility is a prerequisite for sustainable crop, 6. Promote adoption of conservation agriculture
livestock and fisheries production. Soil fertility depends principles.
on good agricultural practices. Extensive and intensive
7. Promote use of efficient technologies to increase
production of crops, poor soil and water management
crop, livestock and fisheries production.
practices and rearing of livestock overtime has led to
low soil fertility and productivity. The situation has 8. Promote sustainable soil management
been worsened by minimal and inappropriate use programmes to improve soil quality and increase
of soil-health restoration measures which has been productivity through appropriate integrated
soil fertility management technologies.
attributed to the high cost of fertilizers and other soil
amelioration products. In addition, there has been low 9. Provide mechanisms for utilization of all land
adoption of other soil-health improvement practices irrespective of the agro-ecological zone in order
such as use of farm yard manure and soil and water to exploit the potential of the land resource
conservation measures. throughout the country.
3.3.1 Objective The National Government will develop:
1. To improve, intensify and diversify agricultural 1. Regulatory procedures for management of pests
production and productivity to meet national and diseases.
food security and market requirements while
promoting conservation, development and 2. Standards and legislation for soil health inputs.
sustainable utilization of crop, livestock and 3. Provide targeted incentives to support
fisheries resources. production and productivity
2. To improve soil fertility for increased production The County Governments will develop programmes
and productivity based on good agricultural
to support targeted incentives to enhance production
practices.
and productivity.
3.3.2 Policy statements
The National and County Governments will:
3.4 Biotechnology in Agriculture
Biotechnology involves the use of living systems
1. Promote conservation, protection, development and organisms to develop or make products, or any
and sustainable management of agriculturally technological application that uses biological systems,
based biodiversity.
living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or
2. Support development of joint programs and modify products or processes for specific use.
foster cooperation within governments and
regional partners in crops, livestock and
fisheries research.
3. Develop strategies for joint early warning

systems for disasters preparedness and control
of weeds, diseases and pests.
4. Develop and harmonize policies and legislation

for sustainable crop, livestock and fisheries
resource management.
5. Promote the development of private sector-

led input supply including service provision,
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Biotechnology products can offer a range of inadequate transport facilities increase post-harvest
benefits above and beyond those that emerged from losses and damages. Unreliable energy supply adversely
innovations in traditional agricultural research. There impacts processing and storage of agricultural, fish
are concerns that inadequate effort has been made to and fishery products.
understand the dangers in the use of biotechnology
products including their potential long term impacts to
3.5.1 Objective
human, plants, animals and environment. Further the
Cartagena protocol aims to ensure the safe handling, The main objective is to minimize post-harvest losses
transport and use of modern biotechnology that may in crops, livestock and fisheries.
have adverse effects on biological diversity. 3.5.2 Policy Statements
3.4.1 Objective
To promote, commercialize and support the 1. Increase investments in construction of post-
harvest and transport infrastructure.
development of and safe application of biotechnology.
2. Promote Public-Private-Partnerships for post-
3.4.2 Policy Statements harvest management.
The National and County Governments will: 3. Develop capacity of crops, livestock and
fisheries value chain players in post-harvest
1. Provide mechanisms for research and sustainable management.
industrial development for biotechnology
4. Promote the adoption of appropriate
derived agricultural products.
technologies that reduce post-harvest losses at
2. Provide mechanisms to guarantee safety of use community and household levels.
of biotechnology derived agricultural products.
5. Ensure reliable energy supply for post-harvest
3. Promote appropriate utilization of biotechnology processing, handling and storage.
derived agricultural products.
The National Government will:
3.5 Post-harvest Losses
1. Enhance surveillance mechanisms to control
Post-harvest management refers to handling and introduction or spread of trans-boundary pests
storage of agricultural, fish and fishery products to and diseases.
limit losses and damages. Inefficient post-harvest 2. The National Government will establish
management occasions massive losses including losses mechanisms for determining post-harvest losses
in nutritional value and damages to crops, livestock, along the crops, livestock and fisheries value
fish and fishery products. On average, post-harvest chains.
losses in fisheries reach 25%. Post-harvest losses of
crops and livestock are not well documented however;
postharvest losses for major grains are estimated at
20 - 30% with maize post-harvest losses validated at
21%. Unpredictability of the markets prompts farmers
to stay longer with their produce without suitable
preservation and storage; deterioration occurs leading
to losses and food products of low nutritional value.
Post-harvest handling determines the level of

contamination and rate of spoilage of agricultural, fish
and fishery products, which has an impact on human
health. Inappropriate processing, poor storage and
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The County Governments will: crop, fish and livestock production from dry spells and
droughts. These make farmers reluctant to invest in
1. Promote appropriate on farm storage and inputs such as plant nutrients, high-yielding seeds and
community commodity banking. pest management.
2. Promote the evaluation and documentation of
post- harvest losses. Large scale irrigated agriculture depends on high
capital outlays of water conveyance infrastructure.
3.6 Water for Agriculture and Unlike in Asia where irrigation is widely practiced
Irrigation and its investment costs lowest, sub-Saharan Africa
has few irrigation schemes, which are relatively
Water resource is an important factor in crop, livestock
smaller and extremely expensive investment. Low
and fisheries value chains and it is a key determinant
overall water use efficiency in irrigated and non
for the agricultural sector’s growth. Declining water
irrigated agriculture is mainly due to low adoption of
availability resulting from climate change, erratic
appropriate technologies.
rains, destruction of water catchments, deforestation
and inadequate water harvesting storage all limit
crop, livestock and fisheries growth. The major water 3.6.1 Objective
sources include: rain, rivers, springs, lakes, swamps, To promote sustainable development and use of water
dams and underground water. resources for crops, livestock and fisheries.
Over 90% of Kenya’s agriculture is rain-fed. It is also
noted that over 80% of Kenya is ASALs where water The National and County Governments will;
availability for crops, livestock and fisheries is a major
limiting factor to sustainable production. For improved 1. Provide mechanism for investing in irrigation
and irrigation infrastructure including water
crop, livestock and fisheries productivity; there is need
harvesting and conservation to increase
to invest in integrated water resource management for production and productivity in the face of
agriculture including water harvesting and irrigation. climate change challenges.
Inadequate soil moisture arising from water scarcity
2. Promote integrated water resource management
negatively impacts critical growing periods of crops,
for crop, livestock and fisheries production.
fish and other animal resources. Inadequate rainwater
harvesting reduces groundwater recharge, increases 3. Develop strategies to provide incentives for
soil erosion and reduces moisture in the soils. Large efficient water use including recycling for
crops, livestock and fisheries.
seasonal and inter-annual variations in rainfall pose
a high risk of yield reductions or complete loss of
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4. Encourage and enforce protection of the water 3.7.1 Objective

towers, catchments, wetlands and riparian
areas to ensure availability of safe water To ensure supply of safe food of either plant or animal
for sustainable crop, livestock and fisheries origin from the farm to fork in order to protect human
production. health.
The National government will ensure access to, storage

and efficient use of trans-boundary water resources. 3.7.2 Policy Statement
The National and County Governments will;
The County governments will implement provisions in
1. Provide for mechanism to ensure compliance to
the National Water Policy to encourage water savings
food safety standards.
for agricultural use.
2. Develop capacities for undertaking food safety
procedures.
3.7. Food Safety
Food safety aims at taking all reasonable steps to The national government will:
ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed 1. Support development of standards on food
in the country meets the highest standards of food safety.
safety and hygiene reasonably available. Each of the
2. Ensure participation in setting and domestication
agencies enforcing food safety regulations operate of international Standards in food safety.
independently to fulfill the function for which it was
established. 3. Provide a coordinated mechanism to address
food safety issues anchored in legislations.
Food safety challenges facing the country could be
attributed to the management systems inability to 4. Develop an institutional framework to address
detect potential risks and gaps, share information, food safety challenges.
plan together and identify appropriate strategies for 5. Facilitate continuous research and monitoring
collaborative management of food safety in the supply of food safety risks across the various food
chain and protect the consumer. The challenges value chain.
include poor communication among food supply chain
6. Ensure capacity building of actors in in the
stakeholders, threats for non-compliance with food
food value chain on existing and emerging food
safety requirements for local and export markets,
safety risks.
ensuring confidence and consumer trust, getting
processors to understand the need to comply with The County government will;
food safety requirements, improving capacity for
1. Promote dissemination of food safety
food assessments and harmonizing implementation of information to the producers and consumers.
standards and regulations.
2. Implement and enforce food safety legislations
and standards.
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3.8 Feed Safety 2. Implement and enforce food safety legislations

In recent years, livestock, other animal feeds and fish and standards.
feeds have received a lot of attention due to safety 3. Report non-compliance of feed safety legislation
concerns associated with biological, chemical and and standards
physical hazards. These hazards can be transferred
into livestock and fish and eventually into products
meant for human consumption. Feed safety control is 3.9 Agricultural Trade and Marketing
guided by different legal instruments that are within Trade in agricultural commodities is a major contributor
the mandate of various public institutions. Challenges to national food security. With rapid population
in feed safety can be attributed to weaknesses increase, urbanization and changing eating habits,
in enforcement of legal instruments and weak food imports have become increasingly important as
management systems. There is limited knowledge on a complement for domestic production. Official and
feed safety among value chain actors in the sector. informal cross border agricultural trade with the
neighbouring countries is common. Imports increased
3.8.1 Objective significantly after the introduction of market reforms
in the 1990 however, this introduced distortions in
To ensure the safety of livestock, fish and other
the domestic market which in turn affects domestic
domestic animal feeds.
production. Nonetheless, the National Government
has continued to intervene in food markets so as
3.8.2 Policy Statement
to assure food and nutrition security in the country
The National and County Governments will; (GoK, 2011).Agricultural based livelihoods and
economic gains depend on efficient marketing. The
1. Provide for mechanism to ensure compliance to Agricultural Sector is characterized by fragmented
feed safety standards.
production systems comprising of over three million
2. Develop capacities for undertaking feed safety smallholder farmers. This poses a challenge in efforts
procedures. to coordinate and aggregate produce into economic
3. Enforce compliance with legislation and levels, to sustain market supply. Most of the
standards. marketable produce is unprocessed or semi processed
and attracts low payments. The market infrastructure
The County government will; including the physical markets, warehousing, cooling
warehouses and refrigerated trucks have remained
1. Promote dissemination of feed safety
information to the producers, processors and underdeveloped.
consumers.
Most of the agricultural produce markets are
characterized by poor sanitation coupled with poor
governance. The market conditions worsen especially
during rainy weather as most of the markets are not
paved and have no roofs. Other factors hindering
access of agricultural produce to markets include poor
rural access roads, inadequate electricity supply to
markets and low access to clean water for processing.
Inefficient and exploitative intermediary linkages
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between farmers and the market reduce profitability the domestic, regional and international markets at
of agricultural enterprises. competitive prices.
Access to markets is constrained by lack of market 3.9.2 Policy Statements

information, especially information on what the
market demands in terms of commodities, volumes,
quality and timeliness. Currently there are several 1. Develop and expand sustainable crops, livestock
governmental and non-governmental organizations and fisheries market information systems that
are accessible to all stakeholders.
charged with collection and collation of agricultural
information but coordination of these institutions 2. Continually monitor, evaluate and regulate
is minimal leading to conflicting market signals. levies and taxes charged on crops, livestock
Inconsistency in observing food safety standards and fisheries produce and products to ensure a
favorable trading environment.
coupled with trade barriers including sanitary and
phytosanitary requirements affect trade regionally and 3. Promote product branding and traceability
internationally. Notable food safety standards include to assure consumers and access regional and
the global GAPs and Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) international markets.
imposed on horticultural produce. These standards 4. Promote warehousing receipt system.
have resulted in interception of Kenya’s horticultural
produce destined for the EU markets. 5. Promote product labelling to indicate nutritional
content.
Marketing of agricultural produce often attracts 6. Establish an inter County product safety and
several forms of taxation including levies, Value quality standards’ compliance and arbitration
Added Tax, cess, export tariffs and import duties. mechanism.
The imposition of levies across counties at numerous 7. Ensure that roadblocks are controlled and
produce inspection stations greatly hinders movement gazetted to eliminate illegal taxation of crops,
of agricultural products to urban markets and reduces livestock and fisheries produce and products.
their competitiveness locally and internationally.
8. Provide for mandatory inclusion of high value
traditional crops in commercial food and feed
3.9.1 Objective products.
To promote and facilitate agricultural trade and 9. Control the dumping of subsidized agricultural
marketing of high quality agricultural products in products.
10. Provide for development of entrepreneurial

skills of agricultural value chain actors.
1. Develop, improve and maintain the trans

County energy, roads and water resources
to enhance marketing of crop, livestock and
fishery products.
2. The National government will develop standards

to conform to regional and international sanitary
and phytosanitary requirements.
3. Negotiate with international trade partners to

ensure removal of prohibitive tariff and non
tariff trade barriers to facilitate favorable trade
in crops, livestock and fishery products.
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4. Domesticate and ensure implementation of to appropriate machinery and equipment for tillage,
relevant international agreements on: trade pre- and post-harvest handling of produce including
sensitive diseases and pests affecting plants, processing, packaging, transportation and storage is
animals and fish; and fish laundering.
limited especially for small-scale farmers.
5. Maintain and continually update inventories of
agricultural innovations and technologies for 3.10.1 Objective
uptake by agri-preneurs.
To increase production and productivity in crops,
6. To promote regional, continental and global livestock and fisheries using appropriate, high quality
trade policies and agreements and affordable inputs.
1. Develop, improve and maintain markets and
rural access roads, local energy and water The National and County Governments will:
resources to enhance marketing of crops,
1. Strengthen inputs and equipment surveillance
livestock and fishery products.
mechanisms to ensure compliance with set
2. Ensure compliance with product safety and standards.
quality standards.
2. Promote manufacturing of crop, livestock and
3. Support the formation of producer marketing fisheries inputs locally and provide appropriate
organizations to achieve sustainable market incentives to attract investors.
supplies and ease product certification.
3. Facilitate targeted subsidies and/or incentives
4. Promote supplier development programmes to promote crops, livestock and fisheries
such as contract farming to improve market production.
access for crops, livestock and fisheries produce
4. Ensure that all subsidy and/or incentive
and products.
programmes are monitored regularly for
5. Establish entrepreneurship incubation centres efficacy and impact.
for agricultural value chain actors.

3.10 Agricultural Inputs
1. Facilitate access to quality agricultural inputs,
Agricultural inputs are diverse; they include seeds, and ensure their compliance with existing
semen, embryo, fingerlings in the case of fisheries, regional and international standards.
seedlings, breeding or brood stock, agro-chemicals,
medicines and vaccines, organic and inorganic
fertilizers and other soil additives (amelioriments),
appropriate agro-machinery, plants and equipment
and animal feeds. The use and adoption of modern
agricultural inputs and improved technologies are
constrained by their high costs. Unreliable distribution
outlets and little technical knowledge on their use,
application and maintenance equally affect adoption.
The quality of many agricultural inputs has been
found to be poor. Producers experience difficulties
in accessing quality seeds and seedlings, appropriate
breeding stock, unadulterated agro-chemicals,
drugs, vaccines and animal feeds. This has resulted
in production and productivity challenges making
agricultural produce sub-standard and uncompetitive
in the local, regional and international markets. Access
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2. Establish mechanisms for ensuring that 3.11 Agricultural Mechanization

farmers, pastoralist and fisherfolks will have
quality plant, livestock and fish genetic which Agricultural mechanization is a key input in the
comply with existing regional and international agricultural sector production value chain that is
standards. influenced by suitable land, availability of moisture,
4. Ensure that inputs that are not locally available favorable climatic conditions, availability of quality
are sourced and procured through incentives farm inputs and appropriate mechanization, reliable
including but not limited to zero-rating, credit labour and functioning markets. The main types of
and subsidy provisions. mechanization in the country include the use of human,
animal drawn and motorized machinery, implements
5. Ensure that any subsidy or incentive schemes
put in place target diverse strategic crops, are and equipment
designed to achieve clearly set objectives,
are managed transparently and prudently and The use and adoption of modern mechanization
are time-bound and do not violate existing technologies are constrained by; Inadequate demand-
international trade laws. driven research and technology in agricultural
mechanization; Inadequate local manufacturing
and distribution; Insufficient agricultural
1. In partnership with the private sector will mechanization quality assurance, Low production
promote efficient distribution and access to due to a combination of high cost of agricultural
inputs along the crop, livestock and fisheries mechanization, financial services (for investment,
value chains. imports and trade) and unfavourable taxation regime,
2. Promote supplier development programmes Inadequate mechanization and technology extension
such as contract farming to improve access to and adoption, Declining agricultural land productivity
crops, livestock and fisheries inputs. due to climate change, uncontrolled subdivision and
improper land use, Threat of Human Immuno-deficiency
3. Facilitate access to high quality and affordable
inputs for use along crops, livestock and Virus HIV/AIDS and other debilitating human diseases
fisheries commodity value chains. in agriculture, Gender insensitivity in agricultural
mechanization, Low value addition, poor market
4. Ensure that all subsidy or incentive programmes infrastructure resulting to high post-harvest losses
are supported by strong extension and capacity
and Inadequate institutional and legal framework.
building.
5. Promote organic farming for sustainable crops,

livestock and fisheries production. 3.11.1 Objective:
6. Ensure compliance with required standards. Agricultural mechanization need to make a contribution
to agricultural development through the development
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and adoption of modern, appropriate, cost effective 3.12 Agribusiness and Value Addition
and environmentally safe mechanization technologies Agribusiness comprises all businesses in crops,
for crop, livestock and fisheries production. livestock and fisheries production including farming
and contract farming, genetic material supply, agro-
3.11.2 Policy Statements chemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution,
processing, marketing and retail sales. Value addition
is the action extended to crops, livestock and fisheries
1. Promote agricultural mechanization research produce to improve their value with the intention of
and technology development for efficiency and
increasing returns for operators along the value chains.
effectiveness under the NARS system.
Many small-scale farmers possess limited knowledge
2. Promote a conducive environment for local on agribusiness and value addition hence sell most of
manufacturing and distribution of agricultural their produce in raw form attracting low prices in the
machinery and technologies.
markets. Huge losses occur due to the short shelf life
3. Strengthen collaboration with the departments of perishable unprocessed agricultural and fisheries
regulating trade on agricultural machinery and produce.
equipment.
The cost of machinery and equipment for value addition
The National Government will;
is high, this coupled with the lengthy and expensive
certification processes for value added products affect
1. Establish an effective and efficient institutional
adoption of value addition by smallholder farmers.
framework for development of agricultural
mechanization. Similarly, the cost of value-added products may be too
high for the local markets necessitating the need for
2. Promote and regulate agricultural mechanization market research to identify new marketing channels
quality assurance.
and outlets. Supply of low quality and inadequate
The County Governments will: quantities of raw materials affect profitability of
processors with large installed capacities.
1. Stimulate mobilization of resources for
investment in agricultural mechanization. 3.12.1 Objective
2. Refocus extension and technology repackaging The main objective is to promote agribusiness and
for enhanced adoption by stakeholders in
value addition in the crops, livestock and fisheries sub
agricultural mechanization.
sectors.
3. Promote climate smart agricultural
mechanization measures to mitigate the 3.12.2 Policy statements
adverse effects of climate change.
1. Support development of agro-processing
industries for processing and value addition
to crops, livestock and fisheries produce and
products.
2. Develop capacity of producers and producer

groups or organizations to undertake and
promote agribusiness and value addition.
3. Develop the capacity of technical officers to

promote agribusiness and value addition to
crops livestock and fisheries produce.
4. Promote research in development and local

assembly of machinery and equipment for value
addition to agricultural produce.
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5. Promote Public Private Partnerships in 2. Promote demand driven research in crops,

agribusiness and value addition. livestock and fisheries management and
development.
The National government will:
3. Promote research in utilization of land resources
1. Promote bilateral, regional and international for crops, livestock and fisheries production.
trade in crops, livestock and fisheries products. 4. Promote research in production and utilization
2. Establish a regulatory framework for contract of traditional food and feed resources including
farming to increase crop, livestock and fisheries emerging crops, livestock and fisheries.
production with a view to meeting large scale 5. Prioritize collaboration with National, Regional
processing requirements. and International Research Organizations in
The County governments will:
6. Encourage public private partnership in
1. Support producers to increase crop, livestock agricultural research and development.
and fisheries production as well as encourage
bulking of agricultural produce. 7. Promote research in indigenous crops and
animals including the application of indigenous
2. Mainstream value addition to crops, livestock technologies to agriculture.
and fisheries produce and products.
3. Promote participation of youth in agribusiness,
value addition and related activities. 1. Provide for mechanism of sharing of agricultural
research findings.
3.13 Research and Development
2. Develop capacity of research institutions
Research is an important component of agricultural to undertake crops, livestock and fisheries
management and development. Currently, research research.
in crops, livestock and fisheries does not necessarily
3. Allocate at least 30% of the National research
address the concerns of the relevant stakeholders. budget to crops, livestock and fisheries
Moreover, there is weak research extension linkage research.
which affects dissemination of research findings to
4. Encourage institutions of higher learning to
end users. Effective research extension linkages would
undertake demand driven crop, livestock
address socio cultural factors, costs, accessibility and and fisheries research and share findings and
suitability of new technologies that determine the rate solutions.
of adoption of research findings. Research institutions
5. Support the development of new
have inadequate capacity in terms of personnel,
agritechnologies including those arising from
funding and equipment to undertake crop, livestock ICT, biotechnology and indigenous knowledge to
and fisheries research. enhance production, post-harvest management,
processing and access to markets and financial
3.13.1 Objective services.
The main objective is to promote demand driven

and adaptive research for crop, livestock, fisheries
management and development and irrigation.

1. Prioritize setting of crops, livestock and

fisheries research agenda and development of
research infrastructure across counties.
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The County Governments will: 3.14.1 Objective

1. Provide for dissemination of research findings The main objective is to promote appropriate, cost
and indigenous knowledge. effective and accessible extension services for
different ecological zones.
2. Develop mechanism that strengthens research
extension farmer and fisher folks linkages. 3.14.2 Policy Statements
3. Promote the use of new and emerging
agro technologies including biotechnology,
information communication technology and
other innovations to enhance production and 1. Strengthen research extension farmer liaisons to
access to markets and financial services.R o p s , accelerate dissemination of research outputs.
livestock and fisheries produce and products. The National Government will;
3.14 Extension 1. Provide guidelines and standards for delivery of

extension services in the agricultural sector.
Agricultural extension service is an avenue for sharing
knowledge, technologies, agricultural information and 2. The National government will establish a system
links the farmer to other actors in the economy. The of regulating, quality assuring, inspecting,
extension service is one of the critical change processes monitoring and evaluating extension services.
required in the transformation of subsistence farming The County Governments will;
to modern and commercial agriculture.
There is an increasing demand for public sector 1. Establish a system of ensuring compliance with
the relevant standards for extension services’
extension services due to a rapidly growing youthful
delivery, monitoring and evaluating extension
population that has limited knowledge for investment service providers.
in agricultural activities. Emerging opportunities for
transformative agriculture that can generate increased 2. Support the development and packaging of
transformative agricultural technologies,
income for rural and urban households necessitate
information and business opportunities in the
the provision of extension services. The regulation agricultural sector.
of public and private sector extension services has
been mostly ineffective. This has led to an increase in 3. Provide for a mechanism for monitoring
and tracking impacts of technologies and
competition and dissemination of conflicting extension
delivery models on overall development and
messages to clients, duplication of efforts and wastage improvement of household livelihoods.
of resources. Extension coverage is usually limited to
a few rain fed areas. Most of the ASALs that mainly
depend on their respective County governments for
services lack consistent dissemination of extension
information. This adversely impacts their production,
processing and marketing capacities. Inadequate
access to information necessary for empowering
clients, creating sustainable linkages of networks
of service providers and generating finance for
investment in agriculture affect uptake of emerging
technologies and encourage concentration of farmers
on a few familiar enterprises.
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4. Support Public Private Partnerships for develop- This is further complicated by their communal nature
ment of extension services. in exploitation of productive resources such as water
5. Ensure adequate resources are provided for and grazing land that discourages investments.
the delivery of extension services in crops,
livestock and fisheries. Lack of agricultural financial literacy has impacted
negatively on access to funds for development of
agriculture. Information on the available financial
3.15 Agricultural Financing and
institutions, their terms and conditions of lending,
Investment
the identification of feasible agricultural enterprises,
Transformation of fisheries, livestock and crop prudent management of acquired funds and repayment
production into a viable commercial undertaking schedules is limited. Though efforts towards improving
requires access to financial products and services along financial literacy are being applied , their scope and
the value chains for both short term working capital coverage is limited to urban and peri urban areas. At
and long term development. Despite contributing over the same time, it is also important to note that there
27% of the country’s GDP, the Agricultural Sector has are many farmers running productive and profitable
over the last decade has received an average of 7% businesses within the agricultural sector but they have
of the National budget (Laibuni, 2014) which is below remained excluded from financial services from the
the Maputo declaration (2003) and Malabo declaration main stream financial sector. Generally there is lack
(2014) that requires African nations to raise their of appropriate private sector financial products to suit
budgetary allocation to agriculture to a minimum the needs of the rural entrepreneurs who are mainly
of 10%.The large number of subsistence smallholder farmers.
farmers and their scattered nature coupled with lack
of reliable data for credit assessment makes most
3.15.1 Objective
commercial banks view activities in agriculture as The main objective is to increase financing and
risky and hence attach high interest to their financing. investments in the Agricultural Sector.
There are few agriculture-based financial and
insurance institutions that are biased towards high- 3.15.2 Policy Statements
value enterprises in high rainfall areas. The insurance
products tend to be expensive and unaffordable to a
majority of agricultural producers and other actors in 1. Provide for a mechanism to ensure the
the value chain. summative budgetary allocation towards
The mobile nature of fisher folk and pastoralists has financing investment in crops, livestock and
hindered access to financing from commercial banks. fisheries is not less than 10% of the overall
National budget based on agreed formulae.
2. Support infrastructure development to facilitate
investment in crops, livestock and fisheries.
3. Provide mechanisms to improve financial
literacy among agricultural value chain players
in collaboration with financial sector players.
4. Promote establishment and restructuring of
agricultural financing institutions to the lowest
levels of devolved units in compliance with
socio cultural values.
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5. Provide for crops, livestock and fisheries 1. Strengthen, restructure, reorganize and
commodity stabilization funds. establish crop, livestock and fisheries
institutions and centres of excellence for
6. Provide incentives to financial institutions to
efficient and effective delivery of services.
avail financial products to farmers based on
intrinsic value of their produce. 2. Provide mechanisms to develop local
institutional capacity and funding to upscale
7. Promote innovation and research in financial agricultural technologies and fabrication of
services for agriculture appropriate technologies, machinery and
8. Use Private Public Partnerships to mobilize equipment for crops, livestock and fisheries.
private sector finance and expertise for the 3. Provide for safeguards to the agricultural sector
delivery of public sector targets and objectives. institutions to enable them carry out their
primary roles without arbitrarily changing their
The National government will; use.
4. Provide for mechanisms of good governance
1. Restructure and transform the Agricultural for effective and efficient management of
Finance Corporation to widen its lending scope
institutions.
consistent with socio economic and cultural
status at County level. The National government will:
1. Establish mechanisms for intra and inter

3.16 Institutional Reforms institutional linkages, partnerships and
networks toward a common programme
The key institutions in crops, livestock and fisheries
framework to manage and develop resources in
value chains include the government ministries, crops, livestock and fisheries.
departments and agencies at both National and County
2. Restructure institutions and merge those
levels. In the counties, institutions are expected to with related roles to avoid duplication and
provide services to the lowest devolved units. contradictory mandates.
The major institutions in crops, livestock and fisheries The County governments will establish mechanisms
management and development experience poor for intra and inter County linkages, partnerships and
governance and deteriorating physical infrastructure networks toward a common programme framework to
which affects delivery of their mandates. The manage and develop resources in crops, livestock and
institutions possess obsolete equipment and machinery fisheries.
that cannot support advanced technological practices 3.17 Information and Data
and innovations in crops, livestock and fisheries. Management
Success in crops, livestock and fisheries value chains
directly and indirectly depends on other institutions, Accurate timely communication and information
however, intra and inter institutional linkages are sharing in the sector is important in the development,
currently weak. exploitation and management of resources. The
Agricultural Sector’s potential for reducing poverty
3.16.1 Objective and contributing to economic growth has remained
The key objective is to strengthen crop, livestock largely untapped due to lack of accurate data
and fisheries institutions and develop effective intra necessary for planning, financing and implementing
and inter institutional linkages in crops, livestock and programmes. The contribution of the sector to national
fisheries management. wealth remains underestimated leading to inadequate
financing. Research and development in the sector
3.16.2 Policy Statements requires retrievable up to date data.
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During crises, transparency and quality of labour is inadequate. A larger share of the economically
communication and information are issues of County, active population is the youth, constituting 46.3%. The
National, sub Regional, Regional and Global strategic relatively large share (18.5%) of economically active
significance. Rapid response can be delayed or children (aged 5 to14) suggests that child labour
curtailed by lack of information or inappropriate could be a significant challenge (Census data, 2009).
communication. Effective national and county Persistent use of unskilled labour has adverse effects
agricultural services require communication strategies on production and productivity. The cost of skilled
with a focus on stakeholders and the public. labour is high and out of the reach for many value
chain players leading to engagement of unskilled
3.17.1 Objective labour. The high cost of labour increases the cost
The main objective is to empower agricultural value of production hence affecting the competitiveness
chain actors through effective communication, storage of agricultural produce and products both in the
and sharing of information. local and international markets. Non-observance of
occupational safety and health principles in crop,
3.17.2 Policy Statements livestock and fisheries production further aggravates
health risks and com- promises safety of workers.
There is some use child labour as a result of household
1. Ensure that agricultural census is conducted poverty, traditional cultural beliefs and practices.
every ten years.
2. Promote use of ICT in crops, livestock and 3.18.1 Objective
fisheries services to improve communication
and data management and sharing. The main objective is to make crop, livestock and
fisheries, value chains attract a productive labour and
3. Provide for development of communication
strategies for the agricultural sector to improve mainstream good labour pratices.
information sharing, public education and
response to emergencies.
The National government will support the establishment
and management of an agricultural sector data and
information database for planning, research and
effective implementation of programmes.
The County governments will:

1. Support and develop mechanisms to
continuously collect, collate and share
agricultural information and data with the
National Government and other stakeholders
for management of the sector.
2. Support provision of timely and reliable

information on crops, livestock and fisheries
resources.
3.18 Labour in Crops, Livestock and

Fisheries
Constant labour supply is essential to improvement
of crop, livestock and fisheries production and
productivity. Whereas unskilled labour is available
in crop, livestock and fisheries value chains, skilled
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3.18.2 Policy Statements due to adverse climatic conditions and accidental

contamination of water bodies.
Both levels of government will; However, as agriculture becomes more sophisticated,
1. Provide mechanisms for appropriate producers, fisher folk, marketing companies and
compensation for agricultural labour force. bankers need insurance to cover a number of risks.
Complying with this need and overcoming the
2. Ensure labour in crop, livestock and fisheries
limitations of traditional agricultural insurance, in
value chains adhere to National, Regional and
International Labour Conventions ratified by particular high transaction and loss assessment costs,
Kenya. requires new insurance products to be developed.
In Kenya, agricultural Insurance is the preserve of
3. Provide mechanisms for appropriate utilization
the private sector that has been reluctant to fully
of skilled labour in crop, livestock and fisheries
value chains. embrace the sector due to attendant risks. Its uptake
by farmers is still low.
4. Promote occupational safety and health in crop,
livestock and fisheries value chains. 3.19.1 Objective
5. Discourage the use of the worst forms of child To provide for affordable insurance for crop, livestock
labour in crop, livestock and fisheries, value and fishery enterprises.
chains.
6. Ensure availability of up to date age and sex

disaggregated information on employment The National and County Governments will:
and labour productivity in crop, livestock and
fisheries value chains.
1. Provide incentives to the private sector to
7. The County governments will promote active support investment in agricultural insurance.
engagement of youth in crop, livestock and
2. Roll out agricultural insurance programs in
fisheries value chains.
partnership with private insurance providers.
3.19 Agricultural Insurance The National government will:

Agricultural insurance is available to farmers against 1. Develop policies, laws and strategies to support
loss or damage to crops, livestock and fisheries as a sustainable agricultural insurance.
result of natural hazards such as hailstorms, drought,
2. Promote research and innovation to develop
flood or uncontrollable diseases and pests. Farmers
initiatives on risk management for crops,
and fisher folk are exposed year round to a variety of
livestock and fisheries value chains.
risks such as price variations, unfavourable weather,
pests, diseases and contamination of water masses. The County Governments will develop specific
Such risks affect their income and welfare. These risks insurance packages in collaboration with the private
act as a disincentive for further production eventually sector to mitigate risk in their jurisdictional areas.
reducing incomes and foreign exchange earnings
leading to reduced long term productive investments
in agriculture. Agricultural insurance is important 3.20 Private Sector Participation in
in order to address the yield risks that are mainly Agriculture
The Private Sector includes enterprises, companies,
businesses, or individuals regardless of size, ownership
and structure. It covers all sectors of the food, includ-
ing, crops, and livestock and fisheries systems from
production to consumption, including associated
services: financing, investment, insurance, marketing
and trade. The private sector encompasses a broad
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array of entities that range from producers, producer 3.21 Agriculture in a Changing
organizations, cooperatives, financial institutions, Climate
industry and trade associations, and Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the largest The continued annual burden of the extreme climatic
international corporations. events could cost the economy as much as KES 45
billion a year, which is equivalent to approximately
The private sector is the vehicle for requisite 2.6 percent of the country’s GDP with implications on
investments to transform agriculture towards long term growth. Some crops in Kenya are expected
increased productivity, agribusiness and development to experience more favorable growing conditions as
of support or infrastructure. The private sector will a result of climate change, whereas others will find
continue working closely with the National and County future climatic conditions intolerable. For example,
governments to ensure service delivery to producers maize yields are likely to increase in mixed rain fed
and other players in the sector. Inadequate Public temperate and tropical highlands; while the ASALS are
Private Partner- ships affect primary production, projected to experience a significant decline in crop
processing, marketing, insurance and financing in the yields (NCCAP, 2013).
Sector
Livestock management systems in Kenya, especially in
3.20.1 Objective the ASALs, rely extensively on natural systems such
as rainfed pasture. These livestock systems are very
The key objective is to promote private sector
climate sensitive, being vulnerable to the impacts of
participation in the management and development of
changing and irregular rainfall patterns and droughts.
crops, livestock and fisheries sub sectors.
In the fisheries sub sector, temperature changes in the
3.20.2 Policy Statements aquatic environment affect the breeding and feeding
behavior of fish, and have a significant effect on the
The National and County Governments will: species composition. There is evidence of a thinning of
1. Create a conducive environment for the private species and biomass abundance owing to the effects
sector to profitably invest in the Agricultural of temperature increase on the nesting and feeding
Sector.
grounds.
2. Promote and establish a forum for consultation
and collaboration with the private sector at Climate change gives rise to unpredictable weather
all levels in the agricultural commodity value patterns characterized by erratic rainfall, frequent
chain. and intense droughts, floods, frequent storms, rising
3. Promote Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in water levels, bleaching of corals, change in physical
the management and development of the crops, and chemical parameters of water and unfavorable
livestock and fisheries sub sectors. temperature and seasonal variations. These events
often lead to emergence and reemergence of animal
and plant diseases and pests, crop failure, reduced
animal and fisheries production.
Poor agricultural practices such as cultivation on

slopes and river banks, improper land preparation,
overgrazing, burning of crop residues, overfishing and
use of illegal and destructive gear leads to environ-
mental degradation that aggravates climate effects.
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practices and enhance resilience to adverse climate

Subdivision of family land due to high population den- change impacts.
sities leading to rapid decrease in land available for
farming, intensive cultivation, soil nutrient depletion
are some of the major causes of soil erosion and The National and County Governments will:
wood fuel and timber shortages in the country. These
problems, together with declining tree cover resulting 1. Promote public awareness and information
from conversion of forests to settlements, are causing sharing of good environmental practices for
increasing concern about declining food security, crops, livestock and fisheries.
sustainable development of agriculture and challenges 2. Prioritize implementation of the National
related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Climate Change Action Plans.
To remedy this situation, the Ministry of Agriculture,
3. Promote adoption of climate change research
Livestock and Fisheries encourages farmers to practice
findings relevant to crops, livestock and
agroforestry. fisheries.
Agroecology is an approach to farming that “centers 4. Promote Agro-ecology farming practices for
on food production that makes the best use of
nature’s goods and services while not damaging these 5. Provide early warning, response and ensure
resources.” It applies ecology to the design of farming preparedness for adverse climate change
systems; uses a whole-systems approach to farming and effects in collaboration with other agencies.
food systems; and links ecology, culture, economics 6. Develop capacity of agricultural value chain
and society to create healthy environments, food players to respond to unfavourable climate
production and communities. change effects.
7. Promote climate change resilience fisheries,

It is important to advocate for a compulsory livestock and crop enterprises.
establishment of farm forestry where every person
who owns or occupies agricultural land shall 8. Promote green growths strategies (green
economy) in crops, livestock and fisheries.
establish and maintain a minimum of 10% of the land
under farm forestry in any suitable configuration. 9. Promote climate financing and broaden
These will help to: promote the establishment and mechanisms to attract investments in climate
sustainable management of farm forestry to maintain smart agricultural practices along the commodity
a compulsory farm tree cover of at least 10% on any product value chains.
agricultural land holding; Carbon sequestration and 10. Develop programs to rehabilitate degraded eco-
related environmental benefits; conserve water, systems including soils, wetlands and forests
soil and biodiversity; protect riverbanks, shorelines,
11. Develop programs for capacity building in soil
riparian and wetland areas; provide fruits and fodder and ecosystem conservation and restoration.
and sustainable production of wood, charcoal and
non-wood products.
3.21.1 Objective
The key objective is to uphold good agricultural
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The County Governments will: increased resulting in heavy losses and damages.
The main objective is to establish mechanisms for
1. Promote adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural
Approaches. management of disasters in crops, livestock and
fisheries.
2. Prioritize implementation of provisions that
provide for at least 10% tree cover on any 3.22.1.2 Policy Statements
agricultural land holding.
3. Promote soil conservation and ecosystem
rehabilitation 1. Develop strategies for joint early warning
systems for disasters preparedness and control
4. Promote green jobs in the Agricultural Sector
2. Provide for development of disaster
preparedness, response and mitigation
3.22 Cross-Cutting Issues strategies for crops, livestock and fisheries.
Cross-cutting issues refer to aspects that impact 3. Develop mechanisms for disaster management.
crop, livestock and fisheries value chains directly 4. Establish strategic food and feed reserves and
or indirectly but are not limited to crops, livestock animal health supplies as important components
and fisheries. They include; agriculture in a changing of disaster preparedness.
climate, gender, disaster management, corruption, 5. Promote linkages among agencies that are
HIV/AIDS, vulnerable groups, Drugs and Substance involved in disaster response and mitigation
Abuse, resource-use conflicts and literacy levels. in crops, livestock and fisheries. The agencies
include NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, the
3.22.1 Disaster Management Private Sector, International Development
Partners and UN organizations.
Disasters are both natural and manmade. Disasters
6. Encourage the insurance industry to play a
affecting the agricultural sector in Kenya have been significant role in mitigating the impacts of
handled without an effective disaster management disasters on crops, livestock and fisheries.
policy, legal and institutional framework. Disaster
responses have been poorly coordinated due to lack of 3.22.2 Governance
standard operating procedures and disaster emergency Good governance systems and practices contribute to
operation plans. Inadequate planning, preparedness positive growth of the Sector. However, poor governance
and mitigation responses to disaster victims pose including corruption has had serious negative effects
greater risks and slow recovery. on the management of crop, livestock and fisheries
resources along the value chain institutions leading
3.22.1.1 Objectives to low productivity, wastage, duplication, unhealthy
competition and conflicts.
The linkages of disaster management capacities in local
communities, counties and the National Government
have remained weak. Disaster occurrences have
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3.22.2.1 Objective
The slow pace of commercialization of services offered
The key objective is to mainstream good governance by training institutions and failure to respond to market
in the Agricultural Sector and eliminate corruption in demands for specialized courses is another stumbling
order to enhance trust and confidence among actors. block to capacity building. Coupled with this, limited
employment opportunities in both public and private
3.22.2.2 Policy Statements
sectors have contributed to poor perception of the
The National and County Governments will; youth towards fisheries, livestock and crop production.
In addition the training curriculum does not adequately
1. Strengthen good governance in the Agricultural prepare the trainees for the job market possible
Sector. interventions include mainstreaming internship and
2. Establish an effective corruption prevention apprenticeship in the curriculum development.
mechanism in the Agricultural Sector in line with
relevant Kenyan laws as well as international The recent conversion of middle level agricultural
treaties ratified locally. institutions into higher level institutions, lack of
adequate hands on practicing technical agricultural
3.22.3 Human Resource Development workforce, lack of training institutions for sea
and Management fisheries and fishing technologies and lack of linkages
between learning institutions and the industry further
Skilled and creative human resource is required in order complicate the situation. Staffing levels for technical
to stimulate research, production, value addition and departments in the Sector departments is short
marketing in crops, livestock and fisheries. Currently, of the recommended international standards. For
there exist several public and private training instance the state department of livestock has the
institutions in the country that offer agriculture based highest deficiency of technical staff of about 66% and
training. These include universities, middle level 60% for veterinary services and livestock production
colleges and institutes, farmer and pastoral training respectively.
centres. However, the sector has faced a myriad of
challenges like inadequate and declining level of
funding to training institutions. These limit capacity 3.22.3.1 Objective
to train on emerging issues such as production and
To develop and manage an effective human resource
breeding of indigenous animals and plants, organic
for the Agricultural Sector.
farming and advanced bio-technology.
1. Promote investment in agricultural education,

research and extension capacity.
2. Strengthen and establish training institutions

for capacity building of stakeholders and ensure
that curricula are geared towards supporting
evolving needs of the agricultural sector.
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3. Strengthen governance in agricultural productive resources and markets.

institutions, farmer and producer organizations.
2. Promote gender equity in agricultural financing.
4. Prioritize in service training of public 3. Support development and dissemination of
agricultural workers to upgrade their technical transformative agricultural technologies and
and practical knowledge. interventions.
5. Provide for appropriate succession management
and hire required staff. 3.22.5 Youth in Agriculture
6. Provide mechanism to facilitate internships and Kenyans in the age bracket of 1-35 years constitute
apprenticeship. 75% of working population forming the largest source
of human resource. The youth aged between 15-30
The National government will:
years number about 9.1 million and account for about
1. Provide for development of standards based on 32% of the population of which 52% are female. The
international standards for agricultural training youth form 60% of the total labor force but many of
and skills development. them have not been absorbed in the job market owing
to the country’s low economic growth rates. Many
2. Ensure that the distribution of relevant human
resource meets acceptable service ratios. of the youth who are productive and energetic remain
unemployed, underutilized and consequently engage
3. Develop incentives for youth to take up in deviant behaviors.
agriculture related courses
4. Modernize Agriculture curriculum by embracing According to the National Youth Policy (2006), the
Disruptive Technologies in Agriculture (ICT and youths in the age 15-35 years have been largely
Digitization). excluded from designing, planning, and implementing
programmes and policies. The youth are largely
3.22.4 Gender in Agriculture excluded from designing, planning, and implementing
programmes in the agriculture -sector in-spite of the
Gender-based inequalities constrain agricultural aging labor force. They have limited opportunities in
growth and poverty reduction measures by affecting the agricultural value chains thus posing a challenge
labour productivity in terms of access to and control to succession in the sector. The youth are limited in
of productive resources. term of access to factors of production including land,
Both levels of government recognize that inequitable credit and insurance. Poor production technologies
gender relations have affected the sector and that have also not attracted the youth to agriculture and
focusing on all involved in productive processes can this has affected production and productivity. The
partly address the problem. The main challenge is perception of the youth towards agriculture is negative
to overcome undesirable practices that perpetuate and therefore unattractive.
gender inequalities in fisheries, livestock and crop
value chains.
3.22.4.1 Objective
The key objective is to mainstream gender in the

1. Promote gender-sensitive practices in the

agricultural sector and increase access to
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3.22.5.1 Objective infected as men. Currently, the HIV/AIDS burden is

higher in rural areas with an approximated prevalence
The key objective is to promote active engagement of rate of 6.7%.
the youth in agriculture value chains and associated
technologies. It is estimated that 70% of people infected with
HIV and other non-communicable diseases live in
rural areas. The illness and subsequent death of
The National and County Governments will: workers have an enormous impact on agricultural
productivity and earnings. Labour productivity drops,
1. Support for development and dissemination of the benefits of agricultural skills and education are
transformative agricultural technologies and lost while resources that would have been used for
interventions.
wealth creation and poverty reduction are diverted to
2. Ensure youth access to factors of production treatment, care and support of the sick. The sum total
such as land, finance and appropriate skills in of these events negatively impact National GDP. The
agriculture. main challenge is to contain the disease and reduce its
3. Provide for mechanisms of encouraging socio-economic impacts.
education in Agriculture.
3.22.6.1 Objective
4. Encourage collaboration, coordination and
synergy with other Ministries and knowledge The main objective is to mainstream mitigation
vendors in capacity building in agriculture for measures of the main human diseases affecting
the youth. agriculture in order to minimize their negative
5. Provide support for youth to access markets impacts.
and marketing infrastructure.
3.22.6 Human Diseases Affecting The National and County Governments will;
Agriculture
1. Promote production and use of nutritious food
Some key diseases with an impact in the sector include and nutritionally enhanced food products for
HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria, diabetes, hypertension and the infected people in the agricultural sector.
mal-nutritional diseases. 2. Establish affirmative programmes in fisheries,
livestock and crop production for people
affected by these diseases.
HIV/AIDS has profoundly disrupted economic and social
bases of families in the agricultural sector. The Kenya 3. Provide mechanism for linking the affected
Aids Strategic Framework (KASF, 2015-2019) reveals and infected with specialized agencies towards
involvement in income generating enterprises.
that there were 1.6 million Kenyans living with HIV
at the close 2014. The hardest hit being those in the 4. Mainstream of HIV/AIDs policies and control
measures in the agricultural sector including in
productive ages of 15 - 64 years who are agriculturally
plantations, factories and other related closed
productive. Women whose role and contribution to the
agricultural sector is high are almost twice as much
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set ups.
3.22.7 Vulnerable Groups
Vulnerable groups include households headed by
women and children, the elderly, the poor and people
living with disabilities or affected by diseases or pests.
The vulnerable households are less productive and
frequently experience food insecurity that compounds
their health problems. Hunger and human indignity
characterize their existence. Owing to poverty, they
are unlikely to adopt most technologies in agriculture,
this perpetuates their vulnerabilities.
3.22.7.1 Objective
The main objective is to promote effective programmes
for addressing concerns of vulnerable groups in the
fisheries, livestock and crop production.

The National and County Governments wil:
1. Support development and dissemination of
transformative agricultural technologies and
interventions.
2. Ensure youth access to factors of production
such as land, finance and appropriate skills in
agriculture.
3. Provide for mechanisms of encouraging
education in Agriculture.
4. Provide support for youth to access markets
and marketing infrastructure.
3.22.8 Drugs and Substance Abuse

Drug and substance abuse has become a major
concern of all sectors of the economy. Substances
and drugs that are most abused include alcohol and
bhang (Cannabis sativa). However, hard drugs such as
cocaine and heroin are emerging as bigger threats to
the well- being of the Kenyan labour force particularly
the youth. Substance and drug abuse affects service
providers and other players in agricultural value
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chains. In cases where public service workers are 3.22.9.1 Objective

involved, the image of the government is dented. This
undermines the confidence of citizens in such workers The main objective is to minimize resource-use conflicts
and affects delivery of services. among farmers, fisher-folk and other stakeholders.
3.22.8.1 Objective 3.22.9.2 Policy Statement

The main objective is to reduce incidences of drug The National and County Governments will develop
and substance abuse among farmers, fisher-folk and effective mechanisms for conflict resolution among
service providers. fisher-folk, pastoral, agro-pastoral, livestock and crop
farmers and other stakeholders.
3.22.10 Literacy Levels
Kenya has made great strides in improving the literacy
1. Support awareness creation and sensitization levels of her people. However there are pockets in
programmes to deter involvement in drug and the country where illiteracy incidences are as high as
substance abuse. 80%. In these areas, populations are largely dependent
2. Develop strategies for rehabilitation of on subsistence crop, livestock and fisheries production
agricultural sector workers affected by drug for their livelihoods. Efforts to transform practices in
and substance abuse. agriculture through skills and knowledge transfer are
severely limited.
3. Support enforcement of laws that discourage
drug and substance abuse among sector workers
in collaboration with other agencies. 3.22.10.1 Objective
3.22.9 Management of Shared Natural The main objective is to minimize the effects of
Resources illiteracy on development of crops, livestock and
fisheries.
Agriculture relies heavily on finite resources which
are competitively sought by actors pursuing different 3.10.22.2 Policy Statements
interests. These resources include land, water and 1. The National and County governments will
pastures. Due to scarcities, resource-use conflicts promote efforts to increase literacy levels
are bound to arise. These conflicts may result in loss among farmers and fisher-folk.
of human life, livestock, fisheries, wildlife and crops 2. The National and County governments will
hence disrupting agricultural activities and affecting
livelihoods and economic development.
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encourage use of appropriate extension

packages and methodologies for various target regulation of agricultural services, international
groups. obligations, programs that may negatively impact
on national economic interests and nationwide
agriculture sector interventions. The Ministry in
CHAPTER FOUR charge of crops, livestock and fisheries will implement

this Policy through its respective departments and
agencies by developing subsector policies, strategies,
4. IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK laws, regulations and plans, attending to international
The Policy will be implemented through a legal and obligations while coordinating the implementation of
institutional framework that is in existence, to be nationwide agricultural programs.
restructured or yet to be established. Thematic 4.2.2 The County Governments
policies and strategies will be developed to address responsible for Agriculture
specific sub Sector requirements and for better
implementation of this Policy. County governments will be responsible for
implementation of this Policy. Individual counties will
4.1 Legal Framework thus domesticate national policies, strategies and
Laws and regulations are integral to effective policy plans arising from this Policy to guide implementation.
implementation and operationalization. The legal The Constitution provides for County Governments to
framework for crops, livestock, fisheries and irrigation be responsible for crop and animal husbandry, livestock
is based on a body of laws that require review and sale yards, County abattoirs, plant and animal disease
development to conform to and implement the control, fisheries, animal control and welfare.
Constitution and further support implementation 4.2.3 Intergovernmental Relation
of this policy. Review will also align the existing Mechanism
laws with emerging issues in the international laws
and provisions of treaties and conventions ratified by Article 6 (2) of the Constitution provides for two levels
Kenya. of governments that are distinct and inter-dependent
that shall conduct their mutual relations on the basis of
The National and County governments in consultation consultation and cooperation. Article 187 provides for
with stakeholders will review the Agricultural Sector transfer of functions between levels of government.
laws to ensure compliance with the Constitution Article 189 1(c) further provides that governments at
and support the implementation of this Policy. New each level shall liaise with government at the other
legislation and regulations will be developed as level for the purpose of exchanging information,
appropriate to address the Sector needs. coordinating policies, administration and enhancing
4.2 Institutional Framework capacity. The 4th Schedule of the Constitution provides
for County and National Governments functions in the
Various institutions will be involved in implementing agricultural sector and the Intergovernmental Relations
this Policy ranging from National and County Act, 2012 and other laws provide for interaction and
Governments, Private Sector and other Stakeholders collaboration between the two levels of governments.
with support from Regional and Global Institutions.
In line with these provisions, a seamless
4.2.1 The National Government Intergovernmental Relations between the two levels
responsible for Agriculture of government is required. Within the Agricultural
The National government in the Agricultural Sector is Sector, an Intergovernmental Secretariat (IGS) drawing
mainly responsible for policy, standards and regulation membership from both levels of government has been
of services, international obligations and countrywide put in place and reports to the Intergovernmental
programs. The National government and its agencies Forum on Lands and Agriculture and the Summit.
will thus be responsible for policy, standards, For technical operations between the two levels of
governments various Intergovernmental Thematic/
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Sector Working Groups (ITWGs) such as those on professional regulators ensure that only qualified
Policy and Legislation, Projects and Inputs, and Food personnel offer services. Consequently, consumers of
Security, Extension and Capacity Building have also professional services that include farmers and fisher-
been formed. folk are protected from quacks whose activities can
result to heavy losses.
The IGS provide for both levels of government to In the public service, when professional regulators are
cooperate and consult on a regular basis to ensure non-existent, the tendency is to rely on the Code of
availability of affordable quality food and surpluses Regulations and Service Charters to guide practices in
for trade at all times. In this regard, the highest delivery of services. Unlike professional regulations
leadership in the National and County governments that apply to specific public and private professionals,
will respectively take responsibility for development of the Code of Regulations and Service Charters apply to
annual implementation plans for this policy. Whenever public employees generally, they are not profession-
appropriate, the National and/or County governments specific and their enforcement is weak.
will individually or concurrently establish institutions
to address new developments in the agricultural sector. In the Agricultural Sector, only veterinary surgeons and
The IGS and ITWGs will continue to provide a seamless veterinary paraprofessionals are officially regulated
technical operation, coordination and feedback within by the Kenya Veterinary Board. In order to ensure that
the sector. consumers of professional services in agricultural value
chains constantly receive quality services, it would
4.2.4 Private Sector
be essential to establish and maintain professional
The private sector includes producers, farmers, regulatory organizations for various specializations.
processors, marketers and all other actors in the crops,
livestock and fisheries value chains. They will collabo- Professional associations in the agricultural sector
rate with National and County governments in the include the Kenya Veterinary Association, Animal
implementation of the policy through: development Production Society of Kenya, Kenya Association
and review of subsector policies and strategies; of Livestock Technicians, Kenya Veterinary
legislations; investment ventures; and provision of Paraprofessionals Association and Kenya Society of
goods and services in crops, livestock and fisheries Agricultural Professionals. They assist in continuous
value chains. education of members but do not regulate the
conduct, performance or training of their respective
4.2.5 Regulatory and Professional professionals. Their main concern is welfare of
Bodies members.
Professional regulatory bodies perform significant 4.2.6 Agriculture Sector Support
roles in setting standards of training professionals Institutions
through provision of core curriculum requirements,
inspection and accreditation of training institutions to Realization of the objectives of this policy is dependent
offer respective professional courses. By registering on the roles and responsibilities of other ministries,
and licensing professionals in respective areas, commissions and agencies that include the ministries
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responsible for: health; energy; transport and infra- required. Periods spent away from work imply that
structure; finance; industrialization and enterprise certain activities are not carried out on time. Thus,
development; land, water and environment; internal activities like planting, weeding, feeding animals or
security; labour, education science and technology, laying nets to catch fish may be delayed leading to
trade and devolution. economic losses.
The National and respective County governments will
set up mechanisms to strengthen functional linkages
4.2.9 Ministry responsible for Energy
between each of these organizations and the ministry Production, storage and value addition are among
responsible for crops, livestock and fisheries. components in agriculture that require reliable and
affordable energy supply. Current energy sources
4.2.7 Sector Coordinating Secretariat
include hydro, wind and geothermal power, petroleum
The National Government through the Ministry products, solar, wood fuel and biogas. Electricity
responsible for Agriculture will establish a coordination supply tends to be irregular particularly in the rural
committee with the mandate of addressing the areas where farms are located and its cost is often
fragmentation of responsibilities between agriculture high yet it is the most convenient source of energy for
and rural development-related ministries and non- use in agriculture. Farmers may not access it leading to
state actors), sector wide planning approach and poor storage of products and less processing. Equally,
donor coordination forums. The establishment of the petroleum products are expensive. They are mainly
coordination unit will avoid duplicating efforts and applicable in land preparation and transportation of
to create synergy among National Sector Ministries agricultural and fishery products. The high cost of
and County Sector Departments through better petroleum products makes end products in agriculture
coordination. expensive and reduces their competitiveness in the
local and international markets.
4.2.8 Ministry responsible for Health
Both levels of government therefore need to explore
Collaboration with the Ministry responsible for health ways of providing affordable and reliable energy for
is important in guaranteeing food safety. Health use in agriculture.
is a key pre-requisite to a productive workforce.
Unhealthy workers perform sub-optimally particularly 4.2.10 Ministry responsible for
in the agricultural sector where manual labour is Transport and Infrastructure
Transport infrastructure includes road, rail, water and
air. Road transport is the most significant in agriculture
today where a variety of vehicles such as pick-ups,
lorries and tractors are commonly used. Many of the
rural access roads used by farmers and fisher folk are
in poor condition and tend to be passable only in the
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dry season. This hinders timely transportation of agri- Enterprise Development

cultural and fishery products to market destinations
leading to massive post-harvest losses. Currently, most agricultural and fishery products reach
the markets as unprocessed goods. This denies the
Most of the vehicles in the country are imported and
country a huge proportion of employment in industries
farmers are not in the category of citizens eligible for
that would emerge from and leverage on processing of
duty waivers. Even though the Government lowers
primary products. Small-scale farmers who constitute
taxes on or zero-rates tractors from time to time, pick-
a majority of producers usually operate as individuals
ups and lorries that are useful in product marketing
who cannot easily meet the demands of large-scale
attract full duty and hence are out of reach of many
processors.
small-scale farmers.
The County governments need to prioritize The National and County governments should develop
rehabilitation and maintenance of rural access roads and support implementation of policies that will
as the National government maintains trunk roads encourage investment in processing of and value
and considers duty exemption on vehicles commonly addition to agricultural and fishery products.
used by farmers. Product marketing and trade Producers need to be organized into viable groups that
require developed and well-maintained infrastructure can sustainably satisfy the needs of various commodity
networks. industries, establishment of strong cooperatives for
various categories of farmers will be a priority in this
endeavor.
4.2.11 The National Treasury
The economy of Kenya substantially depends on 4.2.13 Ministries responsible For Land,
agriculture. The food, hotel, processing, and transport Water and Environment
industries are among the major subsectors that heavily Land is by far the most important primary factor of
rely on the performance of agriculture. Many of the agricultural production. With reference to agriculture,
informal roadside markets that employ large segments land, water and environment are closely interrelated.
of the population and drive rural economies thrive Activities on land heavily impact water sources and
on agricultural and fishery products. Agriculture is the agricultural environment. In Kenya, land is
therefore a fundamental stimulant to growth of both classified as private, communal or public. Public land
the National and County economies. Its importance is government land. All categories of classification
to food security is already well documented, what support agricultural production and are threatened by
needs constant emphasis is its contribution to Kenya’s different aspects of citizen behavior.
envisaged industrialized status.
Private land under free-hold ownership accounts for
The National Treasury needs to provide adequate the bulk of small-scale production in agriculture.
financial incentives to actors at different stages
of various agricultural Value Chains. Funding for
agriculture including livestock and fisheries should not
be less than 10% of the National budget. Cascaded to
the counties, a similar, if not higher, allocation should
go to the three subsectors. In order to lower prices
of agricultural and fishery inputs and raise product
competitiveness, it is necessary to institute targeted
tax reliefs and subsidies while enabling special
financial packages for citizens interested in taking up
agriculture as a business.
4.2.12 Ministry responsible for

Industrialization, Trade and
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This category of land is subject to uncontrolled Where feasible, and this applies to many rain-fed
subdivision that in many rain-fed areas is approaching regions with private land ownership, a carefully
uneconomical units in terms of agriculture. The main considered policy of reconsolidating land for
reason for subdivision is culture that requires every boy agricultural production should be implemented. This
child to claim a share of the family land on attaining should take the form of setting apart a section or
adulthood. sections of a ward or location for settlement as the
Communal land is found mainly in the arid and semi-arid rest of the land is consolidated for agriculture. The
counties. Its major threat is attributed to the ’Tragedy owners will still hold their title deeds and harvest
of the commons‘ that manifests in overgrazing by produce within the consolidated parcels. Consolidation
livestock and continuous cutting of thorny bushes and will allow for better agronomic practices including
trees to produce charcoal and wood fuel mainly for application of machinery that ease farming and
sale in towns and cities. As populations of the cities increase its attractiveness particularly to the youth.
and towns grow, so does cutting of trees on communal As consolidation reverses subdivision, it will equally
parcels of land to supply cooking energy accelerate. curtail further subdivision of agricultural land.
Settling villagers in identified sections of wards will

Government or public land with a direct bearing on
increase efficiency in provision of social amenities
agriculture includes land set aside for research in
like electricity, water, access roads, health facilities,
agriculture, forests, water towers and other water
planned housing, disposal of sewage and better waste
catchments, livestock multiplication farms, livestock
management. Most important, there will be minimal
holding grounds and quarantine establishments.
degradation of rural agricultural land.
In many countries of the world, government land
reserved for agriculture receives the highest form of Communal land, because of its fragility most of it being
protection because its proper use is closely related to arid or semi-arid, will benefit from the same policy
food security. direction recommended for private land in rain-fed
areas only that it will be much easier to consolidate
In Kenya, public land has not been accorded the settlements. Already, ASALs populations tend to live in
protection it deserves. Quite often, it is alienated for common settlements usually for purposes of security
settlement even at the risk of grossly interfering with and proximity to water points. The government only
water sources. A case in point is the Mau Forest that needs to lay more emphasis on this good practice
is the source of many rivers which support livestock and transform it into a policy supported by adequate
production, fisheries, crops’ production, wildlife and supply of essential needs particularly water, housing,
agro-processing industries. electricity and all-weather access roads that are
severely lacking in these areas.
The major threats to the three categories of land
referred to, require urgent government intervention The environment and natural resources’ sector is
if the country is to attain food security in the near
future. Both levels of government must zealously
protect all public land particularly land that has a
direct or indirect bearing on agricultural production
and fisheries. In the densely populated rural rain-fed
counties, the two levels of government, as a matter
of public policy, must prescribe the minimum units
that may not be subdivided any further. This will vary
from County to County but the guiding principle must
be units that can economically support agricultural
production including aquaculture.
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strategic to improvement of agricultural production, safety and health that reduces injuries to workers in
reduction of poverty and environmental degradation. agricultural value chains.
The overall focus is to practice agricultural production
The ministry responsible for trade promotes retail
in the context of sustainable development and
and wholesale markets while ensuring fair trade
enhance the role that it plays in food production and
practices and consumer protection that are vital to
natural resource stewardship. Sustainable agricultural
the success of agricultural enterprises. Negotiation of
practices enhance food security, environmental
economic partnership Agreements improves access of
protection and reduce poverty. Conservation and
agricultural products to international markets.
rehabilitation of wetlands and riparian areas provide
important habitats for fish and other biodiversity The ministry responsible for devolution and
while maintaining ecosystem goods like water. planning is expected to play a significant role in the
Wetland sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere provision of policy guidelines and planning at both
regulates climate and optimizes crops, livestock and levels of government. Equally, it will spearhead
fisheries production. intergovernmental consultations for sustainable
and inclusive growth and development between the
Forests and water catchments are critical to the well- two levels of government. These will greatly benefit
being of ecosystems. Forests and water catchment agricultural value chains.
areas are the main sources of rivers in the country. The
4.2.15 Farmer and Fisher Folk
rivers provide water for irrigated crops, livestock and
Organizations
fisheries. The forests and water catchments need to be
protected by reforestation and afforestation activities Farmer and fisher-folk organizations aid in delivery of
in gazetted forests, farmlands and communal lands. services to farmers and fisher-folk since they act as
Promotion of dryland forestry will create resilience key entry points for agriculture and rural development
in the ASALs and enhance public awareness on the actors. The organizations are vital in mobilizing
importance of forests. The overall goal is to have a members around specific value chains that have
10% forest cover in the country. common objectives. Hence government support to
them can accelerate achievement of the objectives
of enhanced production and productivity, aggregated
4.2.14 Ministries Responsible For quality produce for niche markets and agribusiness
Internal Security, Labour, Trade, among other objectives of the agricultural sector.
Devolution Their role in lobbying and advocacy provide a huge
Internal security is crucial to the viability and success potential in the implementation of this policy as
of all agricultural enterprises. Insecurity-prone they afford powerful platforms for advocating for
localities perennially suffer from lack of adequate new policies that support agricultural development
food that quite often leads to famine. Malnutrition of including budget support to the sector.
children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups is a Farmer and fisher-folk organizations have structures
common feature of insecure populations that primarily and dedicated membership from the villages, lowest
depend on fisheries, livestock or crop production. In levels, to the National level and therefore can ensure
some of the ASALs, cattle-rustling is a manifestation inclusivity in agriculture and rural development. Ware-
of insecurity. house receipt systems, agri-financing, agri-stability
The ministry responsible for labour plays a significant and agri-insurance can be strengthened through these
role in mobilizing communities to participate in organizations.
agricultural activities. It mediates disputes between
4.2.16 Non State Actors
the employer and employees and ensures a quick
return to work. It upholds the practice of occupational Non state actors include Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs), Non - Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
Faith based organizations (FBOs), and Community
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based organizations (CBOs), Business Member intergovernmental organization with a broad mandate
Organizations (BMO) among others. They will in governing the world’s food and agricultural system,
collaborate with National and County governments in although with the involvement of numerous other
the implementation of the policy through development players at the regional and global levels. FAO’s
and review of subsector policies strategies, legislations mandate consists of four interventions: information
and in the implementation of agricultural programmes gathering and dissemination; formulation of policy
and projects. recommendations; provision of technical assistance
and assistance to governments with FAO-related
4.2.17 International Organizations obligations. These functions serve the following
4.2.17.1 Development Partners goals: help in eliminating hunger, food insecurity and
malnutrition; make agriculture more productive and
Bilateral and multilateral development partners
sustainable; reduce rural poverty; ensure inclusive
are important in financing and providing technical
and efficient agricultural and food systems and
support for the agricultural sector. The development
protect livelihoods from disasters. The FAO discharges
partners in collaboration with the National and County
its mandate through committees and organizations;
governments will continue to provide technical
among them is the Committee on World Food Security
assistance and financial support to realize the
(CFS).
objectives of the policy. This will be through policy
The CFS is an intergovernmental body which provides
development and reviews, legislations and guidelines,
a platform to facilitate review and follow up of food
sector reforms and development and implementation
security policies. It coordinates a global approach to
of agricultural programmes and projects. In this
food security; promotes policy convergence, supports
regards, the National and County governments will
and advises countries and regions, coordinates at
provide for an agriculture sector Common Programme
National and regional levels, promotes accountability
Framework (CPF) to guide the engagement with
and share best practices; and develops a global
development partners.
strategic framework for food security and nutrition.
4.2.17.2 UN Organizations in Inter National and regional organizations under FAO
Agriculture give policy directions and standards for fishing.
Kenya is a contracting party to many interNational

and regional bodies under the United Nations (UN). 2. World Food Programme (WFP)
Key among these include; the Food and Agriculture
WFP delivers food assistance to disaster-stricken
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), InterNational
and impoverished communities. They also support
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World
agricultural development in the context of emergency
Food Programme (WFP), and United Nations General
as part of efforts to build and strengthen the level of
Assembly.
resilience of the affected communities.
1. Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO) 3. International Fund for Agricultural
FAO is an agency that combats global hunger and Development (IFAD)
promotes rural development. FAO is the only global
IFAD provides funding for investments in sustainable
agricultural development.
4.2.17.3 Global Standard-Setting

Organizations in Crops,
Livestock and Fisheries
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Kenya is a member of various international standard plants and plant products in international trade but
setting bodies in agriculture. The most important ones it also covers research materials, biological control
being the International Plant Protection Convention organisms, germplasm banks, containment facilities,
(IPPC), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) food aid, emergency aid and anything that can act
and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The as a vector for the spread of plant pests including
World Trade Organization through the Agreement on containers, packaging materials, soil, vehicles, vessels
Sanitary and Phytosaniatry Standards (SPS), applies the and machinery.
standards in facilitating international trade in plants,
2. World Organization for Animal
plant products, animals, animal products and fish.
Health
Kenya is a member of the World Trade Organization
and like other members of the Organization; is bound The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) defines
by the SPS Agreement. international standards for control of animal diseases,
animal welfare and safe trade in animals and animal
1. International Plant Protection products. It aims at preserving the health of mammals,
Convention birds, fish and marine animals. Its major functions
include collection and dissemination of information
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) on the distribution and occurrence of animal diseases
is a multilateral treaty for international cooperation and ensuring that scientifically based standards govern
in plant protection. It aims to secure coordinated and international trade in animals and animal products.
effective action to prevent and control the introduction The World Trade Organization recognizes the OIE as
and spread of pests of plants and plant products. the body for setting animal health standards.
The convention extends beyond the protection of The OIE informs Member States of the occurrence and
cultivated plants to the protection of natural flora course of animal diseases throughout the world and
and plant products. It takes into consideration both the means of controlling the diseases; co-ordinates
direct and indirect damage by pests and therefore international research devoted to the surveillance
includes weeds. The convention is recognized by the and control of animal diseases and promotes the
World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on the harmonization of health regulations for trade in
application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures animals and animal products among members.
(the SPS Agreement) as the only international standard
setting body for plant health. 3. Codex Alimentarius Commission
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) administers
The IPPC's primary focus is on the movement of
international food standards for the purposes of
protecting public health and ensuring fair practices
in international food trade. Harmonization of food
regulations and standards world-wide reduces barriers
to trade and promotes faster movement of food products
among countries. This reduces hunger and poverty
and benefits farmers. The WTO-SPS Agreement cites
Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations as
the preferred international measures for facilitating
international trade in food.
4. The World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization on the Application of
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards is concerned with
health and international trade. It recognizes the need
for member states to protect themselves from risks
posed by entry of pests and diseases while minimizing
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negative effects of SPS measures on trade. the Community and increase production of crops,
The WTO members protect human, animal and livestock, fisheries and forest products for domestic
plant health by applying measures to manage the consumption, export within and outside the
risks associated with imports. The SPS measures are Community and as inputs to agro-based industries
classified as sanitary (relating to human or animal life within the Community. Post-harvest preservation and
or health) or phytosanitary (relating to plant life or conservation alongside improved food processing will
health). equally benefit from the scheme.
The SPS Agreement recognizes WTO members’ rights
to protect human, animal or plant life or health,
2. The Inter-Governmental Authority
provided that certain requirements are met. The key
on Development
requirements are that SPS measures must be science- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development
based; they must not be more trade-restrictive than (IGAD) was established in 1986 by the then drought
required; they must not arbitrarily or unjustifiably afflicted six Eastern African countries of Djibouti,
discriminate and they must not constitute a disguised Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. Its
restriction on international trade. The overall goal membership now includes the State of Eritrea.
being free and healthy trade.
The objectives of IGAD include: harmonization of
4.2.17.4 Regional Economic
policies with regard to trade, customs, transport,
Communities
communications, agriculture and natural resources
Kenya is a member of regional economic communities and promotion of free movement of people, goods
that include the East African Community, the Inter- and services within member states; achievement of
Governmental Authority on Development, the Common regional food security, encouragement and assistance
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the African of member states to collectively combat drought and
Economic Community among others. other natural and man-made disasters; facilitation,
promotion and strengthening of cooperation in
1. The East African Community research, development and application in the fields of
The East African Community (EAC) aims at realizing a science and technology.
fast and balanced regional development and creating Member states agree to: develop and enhance
an enabling environment in all the partner states in cooperation and coordination of their macroeconomic
order to attract investments and allow the private policies in the areas of sustainable development in
sector and civil society to play a leading role in the agriculture and food security; improve the handling and
socio-economic development activities through the analysis of data in agro-meteorology and climatology,
development and efficient management of sound nutrition, social and economic indicators and establish
macro-economic and sectoral policies. The Community a strong food information system. Further, they will
develops policies and programmes aimed at widening coordinate and strengthen effective mechanisms for:
and deepening co-operation among the partner states
in economic, social and cultural fields, research and
technology among other areas.
The overall objective of the EAC in the agricultural

sector is the achievement of food security and rational
production in agriculture within the Community.
The partner states undertake to adopt a scheme for
rationalization of production in agriculture with a view
to promoting complementarity, specialization and
sustainability of National agricultural programmes.
This is expected to ensure food sufficiency within
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monitoring and controlling migrant pests, managing The African Union (AU) primarily seeks to improve
spread of animal and plant diseases and pests; the quality of life of its citizens through integration,
cooperation in improving their capacity in agricultural cooperation and development. In July 2003, the
research, training and extension services. African Union Heads of State summit endorsed the
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Member states shall facilitate the movement of food Programme (CAADP) as a New Partnership for Africa’s
and emergency supplies in the event of man-made or Development (NEPAD) programme. The overall goal
other natural disasters from surplus to deficit areas. In of CAADP is to ’Help African countries reach a higher
addition, they will harmonize existing National plans path of economic growth through agriculture-led
of action for marginal lands and dry lands management development which eliminates hunger, reduces poverty
and control of land degradation in line with the and food insecurity and enables expansion of exports.’
resolution of Urgent Action for Africa under the UN
CAADP is a growth-oriented agricultural development
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
agenda aimed at increasing agricultural growth rates
3. Common Market for Eastern and to 6% per year to create the wealth needed for rural
Southern Africa communities and households in Africa to prosper. To
achieve this goal, CAADP focuses its interventions on
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
four key pillars: extending the area under sustainable
(COMESA) is a trading block comprising of 23 member
land management and reliable water control systems;
states. It seeks to achieve sustainable growth and
improving rural infrastructure and trade-related
development of its member states by promoting a
capacities for market access; increasing food supply,
balanced and harmonious development of production
reducing hunger and improving responses to food
and marketing structures. One of its objectives is to
emergency crises and improving agricultural research,
foster co-operation in the creation of an enabling
technology dissemination and adoption.
environment for foreign, cross border and domestic
investment including the joint promotion of research Within the AU, the Agriculture and Food Security
and adaptation of science and technology for Division (AFSD) addresses the challenges within the
development. agricultural sector through CAADP and other projects
and programmes. The overall objective of AFSD is to
In the field of agriculture, the member states undertake
coordinate continent-wide initiatives on agriculture,
to cooperate in: agricultural development; adoption of
climate change and food and nutrition security.
a common agricultural policy; enhancement of region-
These objectives are reinforced by appropriate policy
al food sufficiency; export of agricultural commodities
and technological options that will enhance the
and co-ordination of their policies regarding the
livelihoods and food security of Africans. To emphasize
establishment of agro-industries. Cooperation will also
the importance of agriculture in Africa, the African
be extended to: agricultural research and extension;
Food Basket initiative and the African Food and
enhancement of rural development; drought and
Nutrition Security Day were launched; the latter is
desertification management and strengthening
held annually in October since 2010.
farmers’ participation in agricultural development.
4. The African Union

5. The African Economic Community
The African Economic Community (AEC) is an
organization of African Union states establishing
grounds for mutual economic development among the
majority of African states. The goals of the Community
include the creation of free trade areas, customs
unions and a single market. Member states cooperate
in the development of agriculture, forestry, livestock
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and fisheries in order to ensure food security; increase on dispute settlement, including a range of provisions
production and productivity in crops, livestock, to facilitate trade, reduce transaction costs, provide
fisheries and forestry, improve conditions of work and exceptions, flexibilities and safeguards for vulnerable
generate employment opportunities in rural areas. groups and countries in challenging circumstances.
They will enhance agricultural production through The treaty aims at taking advantage of 1.2 billion
processing animal and plant products locally and population of the continent with a combined Gross
protecting the prices of export commodities in the Domestic Product of more than $2 trillion to create a
international market by means of establishing an single continental market for goods and services.
African Commodity Exchange.
4.3 Financing and Investments in
In order to promote the integration of production
Agriculture
structures, member states shall cooperate in To implement this Agricultural Policy and other
the production of agricultural inputs, fertilizers, agriculture investments, the bulk of the funding will
pesticides, selected seeds, agricultural machinery and be provided to the relevant Ministries, Departments
equipment and veterinary products. Further, member and Agencies (MDAs) by the National and County
states shall develop and protect river and lake governments through the exchequer. This will be
basins; marine and fishery resources and plant and guided by the National development blue prints like
animal resources. They will harmonize agricultural the Kenya Vision 2030 and its Medium Term Plans.
development strategies and policies at regional and However, efforts will be made to mobilize technical and
Community levels, in particular, in so far as they financial support from development partners to realize
relate to production, trade and marketing of major the objectives of the policy through: development
agricultural products and inputs. and implementation of agricultural programmes and
projects; policy development and reviews, legislations
Food security policies will be harmonized in order and guidelines. The regional economic communities
to ensure reduction of losses in food production; including EAC, COMESA and IGAD will support policy
strengthening of existing institutions for the implementation in the same areas like development
management of natural calamities, agricultural partners.
diseases and pest control. Member states shall Direct financing and investments by the private
prioritize conclusion of agreements on food security at sector through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)
the regional and continental levels; provision of food will be critical to the successful implementation
aid in the event of serious food shortage and protection of the Agricultural Policy, growth and development
of regional and continental markets primarily for the of the agriculture sector. To this end, the National
benefit of African agricultural products. and County governments will create conducive
environments to facilitate participation of the private
sector in the agriculture sector. This should include
6. The African Continental Free Trade
Area (AfCFTA)
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the
result of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
among all 55 members of the African Union. Already
44 of the 55 African countries signed the treaty. The
block serves to create a single continental market for
goods and services in member nations of the African
Union, with free movement of businesspersons and
investments using a single currency.
The scope of the treaty covers agreements on trade in

goods, services, investment, and rules and procedures
50

and Cooperatives
strengthening rural credit institutions to support Successful implementation of the agricultural policy
farmers’ investments, savings and risk management; will depend greatly on an effective and efficient
introduction of simple procedures in providing communication system. This, of necessity, will require
loan facilities for agricultural activities and agro- the Ministry responsible for crops, livestock fisheries,
based industries; ensuring availability of credit to agricultural research and irrigation to develop a
farmers and other agricultural value chain actors communication framework for implementation of the
at concessionary interest rates and introduction of policy within six months of the policy implementation
appropriate agricultural insurance schemes to protect in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The
farmers from risks associated with natural calamities. framework will facilitate an effective information
The involvement of NGOs and civil society in resource flow between the National and County governments,
mobilization, capacity development and general within the National government, among County
oversight over governance, trade issues and other governments, between both levels of government and
policy interventions will be essential. the private sector, farmers, the public, media and
other stakeholders in agriculture.
4.4 Monitoring and Evaluation

Efficient communication will provide opportunities for
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a tool for assessing public dialogue and knowledge sharing for decision
the success of implementation. It enables decision making and evidence-based planning at all levels.
makers, sponsors and other stakeholders to learn from The communication strategy will be reviewed from
past experience, improve service delivery, plang, time to time in order to improve its efficiency and
allocate of resources and demonstrating results as effectiveness.
part of accountability to key stakeholders.
For successful implementation of the Agricultural
Policy, an M&E framework will be developed as an
integral component to ensure the policy objectives
are achieved in a cost effective, coordinated and
harmonized approach at both the National and County
levels. The Ministry in charge of crops, livestock,
fisheries, agricultural research and irrigation in
collaboration with the County governments, relevant
implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies
(MDAs), private sector and other stakeholders will
develop an M&E framework within six months of the
Policy implementation.
The M&E framework is expected to be consistent with

the National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation
Systems (NIMES) and have clear terms of reference for
relevant stakeholders in data collection and reporting
at all levels. There will be an Annual Review Report
(ARR) on implementation of the policy that will be
presented to the President by the Cabinet Secretary
responsible for crops, livestock, fisheries agricultural
research and irrigation for dissemination to the public
and relevant stakeholders. The policy will be reviewed
periodically to address the sector challenges and
emerging issues.
4.5 Communication Strategy
51

and Cooperatives
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ASDS. (2010). Agriculture Sector Development Strategy. Nairobi Kenya: Government of Kenya.
Behnke, R. and Muthami D. (2011). The Contribution of Livestock to the Kenyan Economy. IGAD LPI
working paper No.3-11.
Bruinsma, N. A. (2012). World Agriculture towards 2030/2050. Rome: Agricultural Development Economics
Division.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ESA Working Paper No. 12-03.
FAO, IFAD and WFP. (2014). The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014.Strengthening the enabling
environment for food security and nutrition. Rome Italy: FAO.
FAOSTAT. (2015). FAOSTAT Database. Rome: FAO.
FAOSTAT. (2018). FAOSTAT Database. Rome: FAO.
GoK. (2011). National Food and Nutritional Security Policy. Nairobi, Kenya.
KNBS. (2018). Economic Survey. Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Government of Kenya.
KNBS. (2020). Economic Survey. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.
Laibuni, N. M. (2014). Analysis of Public expenditure in support of food and agriculture in Kenya, 2006
-2012. Technical Note series, MAFAP. Nairobi, KENYA: FAO- ROME MAFAP.
State Department of Livestock. (2013). Annual Report 2012. Nairobi: Ministry of Agriculture Livestock
and Fisheries.
UNEP. (2014). YEAR BOOK Emerging issues in our global environment. Nairobi: UNEP Division of Early
Warning and Assessment. United Nations Environment Programme.
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Agricultural Policy 2021

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REPUBLIC OF KENYA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK,

“FOOD: OUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND SECURITY”

FISHERIES AND COOPERATIVES

“FOOD: OUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND SECURITY”

AGRICULTURAL POLICY - 2021

FOREWORD In addressing the challenges, the Policy recognizes

The Policy has been formulated in line with relevant

With the current impacts of climate change and

Crops contribute greatly to the economy where the

Livestock plays an important economic and socio-

Mr. Harry K. Kimtai, C.B.S., Mr. Ali Noor Ismail, C.B.S.,

We recognize all the government ministries for clearly

EXECUTIVE In 1983, the District Focus for Rural Development was

In spite of recording impressive growth as a result

The challenges include highly erratic and unpredictable

The Policy adheres to relevant provisions of the

3.9. Agricultural Inputs 27

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Agro-ecology An approach to farming that “centers on food production that

Emerging livestock Non-conventional animals that have recently gained use as a

Entrepreneurship The capacity and willingness to develop organise and manage

Farmer A person, who grows crops, rears livestock or produces ﬁsh.

Feed Any single or multiple materials, whether processed, semi-

Food Any substance, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which

Fisheries Refers to the activities leading to and resulting in the harvesting

Livestock Refers to domesticated animals reared in an agricultural setting

Genetic resources Genetic material of actual or potential value in crops, livestock

Produce Farm products in their original state.

Warehouse receipt A document that provides proof of ownership of commodities

Land is the most important resource in agricultural

The global production of dairy and dairy products was

1.2.2 Regional Trends Agricultural Sector has evolved through a series of

1.3.2.4 Integrated Agricultural 1.3.2.6 Economic Recovery Strategy

CHAPTER TWO 10. Inadequate demand-driven research

appropriate agricultural technologies and weak

5. Unfavourable taxation and tax regimes that

6. Ineffective and inefﬁcient inter-sectoral

7. Limited access to agricultural ﬁnances.

8. Socio-cultural barriers to investment in

9. Weak governance in farmer organizations

3. A market oriented and modern technology- 2.5. Goals of the Policy

7. Provide for economically viable, socially 2.6. Objectives of the Policy

9. Utilization of science and Indigenous Knowledge

7. Promote and facilitate access to domestic,

CHAPTER THREE 3.1.1 Objective

9. Strive to attain food sufﬁciency and at all

5. Develop mechanisms for control, management

6. Provide for Sustainable Land Management (SLM)

The County Governments will:

2. Promote the establishment and maintenance

3. Provide for rural and urban land use strategies

4. Encourage land owners growing cash crops

3.3. Production and Productivity

production, processing, value addition and

3.3.1 Objective The National Government will develop:

3. Develop strategies for joint early warning

4. Develop and harmonize policies and legislation

5. Promote the development of private sector-

Post-harvest handling determines the level of