SPEECH BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR PROF. ISAAC O. KIBWAGE DURING THE SARA-KEA STAKEHOLDER CLOSEUP CONFERENCE

Distinguished Guests,

I welcome you to this conference hosted by Egerton University’s Tegemeo Institute in partnership with Michigan State University and Purdue University. The theme of the conference “Shaping sustainable futures: The influence of policies, programs and economic factors in Kenya’s agriculture and well-being” cannot be timelier. Globally agriculture is now being faced by increasing challenges of economic, environmental and social shocks. The recent high prices of fertilizer, fuel and food, intensifying effects of climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects are a testimony that sustainability and resilience must take center stage in the development and implementation of policies and programs that seek to make positive impact on the livelihoods farmers.

The conference over the next two days will be discussing evidence from research in Kenya’s agriculture sector and rural livelihoods over the past four years and will particularly focus on identifying key drivers to agricultural growth; fertilizer and soil health; value chains development; enhancing human nutrition; youth employment; and building the resilience of rural households. These focus areas of the conference are germane as entry points for efforts to enhance sustainability in agriculture and livelihoods.

I am particularly happy to note that the conference brings together key actors in Kenya’s agricultural sector; farmers, the national and county governments, private sector, development agencies, civil society organizations and research organizations to share insights and discuss best practices for securing sustainability in Kenya’s agriculture sector and livelihoods. I believe the outcome of the discussions will contribute to the development of policies and development programs towards sustainable agricultural growth and livelihoods.

Most of the research evidence that will be presented and discussed today and tomorrow has been generated through long-term collaboration Tegemeo Institute has had with a range of stakeholders in Kenya’s agriculture in and outside the country. I am happy to note that Tegemeo has over the past three decades participated in research, evaluation and outreach activities that have assisted in development programs, strategies and policies in Kenya’s agriculture. The Institute was actively involved in the preparation of the Kenya Vision 2030, the long-term development blueprint that is currently guiding the country’s investment agenda for development. I also acknowledge that Tegemeo has participated in the development of various policy and strategy documents such as the National Food Security and Nutrition Policy and the National Agricultural Marketing Strategy among others.

Most recently, the Institute contributed to the development of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, which African Heads of State and Government adopted at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit held in Nairobi in May 7-9, 2024.  Specifically, Tegemeo researchers were among the team that developed the concept note for the Summit, conducted studies and developed research papers that informed the Action Plan, and developed the Action Plan. The Institute and other partners have continued to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to develop the Seeds and Plant Varieties (also known as Vegetatively Propagating Seeds) Regulations, 2024, which are currently in the Office of the Attorney General for legal drafting.

As a leading center for agricultural policy analysis in Kenya, Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University looks forward to working with the government and Kenya’s development partners to continue generating and providing research evidence and viable policy options for sustainable agricultural transformation and growth and resilient livelihoods. The Institute will therefore continue to promote policy dialogue and advocacy by dissemination of research findings through various platforms including policy conferences such as this. 

I wish to thank USAID through Andrew McCowan, Feed the Future Coordinator, Kenya and East Africa Director, Center of Excellence for Resilience and Food Security, for your continued support in Kenya’s agriculture sector and in supporting the consortium of Tegemeo Institute, Michigan State University and Purdue University to generate the evidence that will be presented in this conference and to host the event.  USAID has supported the development of home-grown analytics capacity for a long time. This support has continued to strengthen the policy reform debate in the country. Empirical policy research has also assisted in shaping and guiding agricultural policy formulation in the country. We urge you to continue supporting us in this important area of our economy, including strengthening data systems in the agriculture sector.

I wish also to thank our collaborators from Michigan State University and Purdue University. Scholars from MSU have worked with Tegemeo since 1997 and have continued to support capacity building of policy analysis in this country. I particularly thank Professor Maredia Mywish of MSU for her leadership of the consortium to produce what we are going to listen to today.

Allow me also to acknowledge the bilateral partners who have supported Tegemeo in one way or another. Egerton University will be approaching your offices to see how we can seek further support from you in order to strengthen the Institute’s analytical capacity.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. We particularly thank you Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja for this partnership and do look forward to further collaboration in future, as well as your address for the gathering today as you officially open the Conference.

Thank you.