Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged county governments and business leaders to move beyond traditional methods and fundamentally reimagine their approach to farming.
Speaking at the opening of the Intergovernmental Agriculture Forum in Naivasha, CS Kagwe emphasized that the forum represents more than a standard meeting, it fulfills a constitutional requirement to enhance coordination between government levels and safeguard counties’ role in implementing the nation’s food security strategy.
He cautioned that persistent agricultural problems cannot be resolved through unchanged approaches and isolated efforts.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that President Ruto has already provided definitive guidance on agricultural reform, and counties now need to convert these policies into tangible results including secure food supplies, employment opportunities, upgraded value chains, and market-oriented production.
CS Kagwe directed particularly firm remarks toward business community members, observing that government resources alone prove insufficient for Kenya’s agricultural needs.
He called on counties to establish welcoming conditions for investment and collaborate effectively with agricultural businesses to access funding, innovation, commercial opportunities, and quality employment.
CS Kagwe challenged Kenya to examine its production shortfalls, questioning how countries like India and the United States export grain to Kenya despite having massive populations, and how Egypt achieves food production in desert conditions.
He stated that IGAF 2025 should produce innovative concepts and practical solutions based on technology, information, and scientific evidence rather than political rhetoric or conventional presentations.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted that counties must accept direct accountability for addressing climate impacts, managing grazing lands, and building livestock resilience, with national government providing supportive frameworks.
He said the repeated pattern of drought-related livestock deaths needs to cease through strategic adaptation, prompt response mechanisms, and climate-resistant investments.
CS Kagwe warned that declining soil quality poses serious risks to national food security, noting that with fixed land availability, Kenya must still feed its population and maintain export capacity.
He indicated that technology-enabled soil analysis, precise fertilizer application, and certified seed distribution require rapid implementation nationwide.
He argued that educational system updates, contemporary extension services, and vigorous recruitment of young scientists and technical experts must anchor Kenya’s agricultural transformation.
