National Government to boost County Government’s efforts in transforming Agriculture
Written by Mercy Kihugu
The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock, Harry Kimtai has assured the national government’s support to the devolved units in ensuring the agriculture agenda in the country is sustainably achieved.
Mr Kimtai was speaking when he officiated the opening of a two days induction workshop for the Joint Agricultural Sector Consultation and Coordination Mechanism (JASCCM) technical committees – Sector Working Groups (SWAGs) members in Nakuru County.
The primary focus and backbone of JASCCM is to strengthen cooperation and consultation between the two levels of government and to support coordination at both the national and county levels in matters of agriculture.
The PS reiterated the national government’s support in ensuring the transformation of the agricultural sector to increase profitability, especially among small-scale farmers.
The Counties were urged to support efforts to strengthen capacities for enhanced safe and sustainable post-harvest management of food.
Additionally, they were encouraged to shift from poor post-harvest food handling to better food management for enhanced food and nutrition security in the counties.
According to a recent FAO report, in Kenya, 40% of food is lost from the farm gate to the family table.
This scale of food waste contributes to more Kenyans continuing to lack access to nourishment, with the prevalence of food insecurity being 10% higher for women than men.
Nakuru County, through the Agriculture Executive Leonard Bor who is also a member of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Communication committee reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to continue creating awareness on the significance of proper post-harvest loss management and its impact on the national and county food security.
The induction brought together leaders and members of the SWAGs including Policy, Legislation & Standards, Inputs, Joint Projects & Programmes, Research, Extension and Capacity Building and Monitoring, Evaluation and Communication committees.