Sessional Paper No. 04 of 1981 on National Food Policy

Abstract

One of the major objectives of Kenya's development policy during the course of the next decade will be to meet an ever-increasing demand tor food, stemming from a rapidly expanding population and rising per caput income. The agricultural sector must continue to play the leading role in Kenya's development and nearly all the nation's food requirements will need to be met from domestic pr0cluction. In addition, the agricultural sector it will continue to generate foreign exchange earnings to pay for oil, capital equipment and other imports and, at the same time it must be the major source of new jobs for the rapidly growing labour force. To meet these needs, Kenya's agricultural development strategy is aimed at the continued expansions of productive investment, with the primary objective of the provision of basic. needs and the alleviation of poverty through growth in agricultural output. The need to conserve national resources is now well recognized as an essential part of this strategy.